'Since she gave up the cigs...' Charley Hull shoots career-low 63 to take lead on LPGA

Just days after confirming she has now put down the cigarettes, England's Charley Hull smoked the lowest round of her LPGA career on Thursday with a stunning 9-under 63 to take the outright lead at the Ford Championship.

Hull, who celebrated her 29th birthday last week, fired a flawless round of golf on Thursday at Seville Golf and County Club in Arizona. 

The Northamptonshire-born star started on the 10th hole and went out in 32 courtesy of birdies on 12, 14, 16 and 17, and she then made the turn for home with three straight birdies on 1, 2 and 3. 

Hull then added two more birdies from there at 5 and 7 to come back in 31 for a superb opening round of 63. 

It marked the lowest ever round of Hull's professional career, which first began in 2013.

The round was also her first since putting down the cigarettes. 

"All since she gave up the cigs, love it Charley," wrote one excited Hull fan.

"Hull going to win a load now she's stopped smoking," tweeted another.

Another commented: "I hope she lights up a massive cigar when she wins a major this season." 

Earlier this month the World No.10 made a £10k bet that will no longer rip darts in 2025. 

She admitted last year to smoking cigarettes on the golf course because it helped keep her relaxed, especially during slow rounds. 

Hull now takes a narrow one-shot lead into Friday's second round over Denmark's Nanna Koerstz Madsen 

World No.1 Nelly Korda lies T17 on 5-under par. 

Hull has now set up a golden chance to bring up a hat-trick of wins on the LPGA.

She won her first LPGA title at the CME Group Tour Championship in 2016 before waiting another six years for her second at the 2022 Volunteers of America Classic. 

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Hull put her fast start at the Ford Championship down to working hard on her game back home this past month 

"I've been grinding so hard at home over the last three weeks," Hull told reporters after the first round.

"Just like practicing, putting my a lot of work in with my coach Matt, and my putting coach. 

"Literally just we been working hard, and especially my fitness as well, my training kit."

Hull recently spoke exclusively to GolfMagic. 

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