New year, new nickname for Charley Hull as she begins title defense

The greens may be different, but the goal remains the same for defending champion Charley Hull.

Charley Hull has returned to Cincinnati eight months after winning the 2025 Kroger Queen City Championship looking to defend her title.

The tournament will be played at Maketewah Country Club, which boasts the most single-digit handicap members in the state, according to its website. The tournament was previously played at TPC River’s Bend and was first contested at Kenwood Country Club.

Charley Hull nicknames change

Aside from Hull’s impressive golf performances, she has also become a fan favorite off the course, where she earned the nickname “Smokin’ Charley Hull” after smoking cigarettes during the U.S. Women’s Open.

However, after that viral moment and subsequent, Hull made a bet with fellow professional golfer Ryan Evans that if she didn't quit smoking, she would pay him £10,000, as reported by National Club Golfer. Since then, Hull has not publicly returned to smoking, but has admitted to using nicotine pouches, leading to the new nickname “Lippin’ Charley Hull.”

When asked about the changing online nickname, Hull said, “Yeah, I quite like that. Better than lipping out. I don't want to be lipping out on putts.”

While Hull’s social media presence continues to grow through viral moments on the course, her recent performances continue to prove why she is ranked No. 6 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.

Charley Hull stats and world ranking

Hull won last year's event at 20-under par, carding rounds of 68, 65, 67 and 68. She finished last season with $2 million in earnings after making 14 cuts in 16 events.

The victory ended a three-year winless streak for Hull and ignited one of the strongest stretches of her season, as she closed the year with four straight top-20 finishes, with two being in the top five.

Following her strong finish to the 2025 season, Hull has recorded top 20 finishes in four out of the six tournaments she played thus far in the 2026 season.