Charley Hull's Olympic dreams clouded by smoking ban

Charley Hull faced a challenging start at the Olympic women's golf tournament, shooting an 81 without a single birdie on the first day.

Hull, ranked No. 11 in the world and representing Great Britain, attributed her poor performance to an injury and subsequent rust in her game, rather than her inability to smoke on the course.

Hull, 28, is known for her smoking habit, which she uses to manage her nerves, particularly after being diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder last year. She typically smokes during rounds but is prohibited from doing so at the Olympics, a rule she believes could impact her performance.

Despite her proven track record, including two LPGA tournament victories and top-three finishes in all five major tournaments each season, Hull's smoking habit has gained significant attention.

The smoking ban at the Olympic venue, Golf National, extends to fans as well, further complicating Hull's routine.

"I think it will affect my chances because it relaxes me a bit, but that's how it is," Hull stated before the tournament began. "In my family, everyone smokes." Her first-round result was certainly below expectations for a player of her caliber.

France's recent national campaign against public smoking has intensified the issue. The country has banned tobacco use in parks, beaches, and other public areas, prohibited disposable e-cigarettes, and announced a price increase to €13 per pack to promote a tobacco-free generation by 2032, according to Golf Digest.

As Hull navigates these challenges, her focus remains on overcoming the obstacles presented by both her injury and the smoking ban, aiming to improve her performance in the subsequent rounds of the tournament.