With a lot of focus on the likes of Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler at the Houston Open, it’s worth remembering that the Ford Championship is underway on the LPGA Tour and Charley Hull is breaking records already.
English golfer Hull leads the way at Whirlwind Golf Club after a stunning opening round of 63 put her at nine under par after just the opening day in Arizona.
Hull, who has been open about her quest to quit smoking and keep up her fitness mission, looked in imperious form as some excellent scores were posted.
Remarkably, Hull is only one shot ahead of the pack, with Nanna Koerstz Madsen hot on her tail on eight under.
But while Madsen might be playing well, it is Hull who is breaking records and in doing so, managed to equal Rory McIlroy’s feat from the 2022 Open.
Charley Hull equals Rory McIlroy’s Open record at the Arizona Championship
With Charley Hull being in such impressive form in Arizona, there was always a chance she’d manage to put herself in contention for some sort of record and she did just that thanks to her brilliant approach play.
In a remarkable turn of form, Hull actually hit all 18 greens in regulation during her opening round.
As shared by journalist Josh Carpenter, this is the second time in only three seasons that Hull has managed to do just that.
Of course, Rory McIlroy managed to do the same at the 2022 Open, when in his final round, he hit all 18 GIR yet still ended up coming up short to eventual winner, Cam Smith.
On that day, McIlroy simply didn’t make putts and he two putted every single green to finish two shy of Smith.
Hull, on the other hand, managed to make nine birdies and not card a single bogey on her way to her stunning 63.
Looking back, Rory McIlroy would have loved some of that putting back in 2022.
Players to hit 18 greens in regulation on the big stage
Hitting all 18 GIR is a tough ask and that’s why over the course of a season, even the top players see their percentages around the 70-80% mark at most.
Jordan Spieth has done it twice in his career, while Kevin Na famously managed it at The Masters in 2020 but he struggled with the putter and actually finished over par.
Akshay Bhatia managed it more recently in 2021 at the AT&T at Pebble Beach, while as recently as January 2025, Korn Ferry Tour player Danny Walker achieved the feat.
According to the PGA Tour’s stats, an 18 hole GIR happens just once in 582 rounds of golf, showing just how rare and special an achievement it is.
For Charley Hull, this is something she can very much be proud of and the fact she capitalised with big putts makes it all the sweeter.
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