Charley Hull 'hates smoking' but admits slow play contributes to her habit

After drawing parallels with two-time major champion John Daly for her on-course smoking habit during last week's US Women's Open, Charley Hull has revealed she only rips darts when she's feeling stressed and that she intends to quit soon. 

Hull, 28, sent golf fans into a frenzy during last week's major at Lancaster Country Club as she was spotted smoking cigarettes on the course for the first time in public. 

She was seen puffing away on cigarettes while signing autographs for young fans ahead of the tournament. 

But the English LPGA Tour star has told reporters she doesn't even like smoking, and only does it to help her relax. 

Hull, who has been open about her mental health struggles in the past, claims she only smokes more than she should when there is slow play in front of her out on the golf course.

After closing with a respectable round of 3-under par to finish just inside the top 20 at the US Women's Open, Hull spoke openly about her smoking habit, which for some reason drew a shocked reaction from a large number of golf fans on social media. 

Hull said: 

"I find it quite funny, because I actually do go to the gym and I'm a very healthy person. I only smoke. I hardly drink. I don't need to drink because actually I can have a fun time without it.

"Yeah, listen, my dad smokes 40 a day since he was 12 years old and now he's 75, and my nephew smokes who is like 25. My whole family smokes, so it's not something that I've noticed being odd.

"I hate smoking. I used to curse at my dad when I was younger for smoking, but I think it's to do a little bit when I'm stressed. I was a bit stressed last year and I just kind of vaped, and I wanted to stop vaping, and even though smoking is not better than vaping, it's just you can vape indoors all the time. I thought if I smoke, I'm going to go outside and smoke a cigarette. When it's a slow round on the golf course I smoke quite a few more than I should.

"But listen, I will stop soon. It's just when."

Hull also told reporters how she received a large number of comments from golf fans about ripping darts.

She had the perfect response to one fan who shouted out from behind the ropes.

Hull also revealed how one golf fan asked her out on a date during the tournament, but that she rejected the man's offer.

It is understood Hull has recently started dating a celebrity figure.