Charley Hull

Charley Hull doesn’t care about seeing her name up in lights – she wants to see her name on the AIG Women’s Open trophy instead.

The fan favourite is back fighting fit and ready to contend after being struck down by an illness which forced her withdrawal from the Amundi Evian Championship earlier this month.

Her preparation for a big test at Royal Porthcawl has been far from ideal, but she’s determined to move ahead and embrace a week she’s been looking forward to all year.

Speaking to media on the eve of the Championship, she said she's only focused on one thing; getting her hands on the trophy.

“I want to see my name on the trophy. I don't care about being up in the headlines," she said.

"It's nice just to be back in the UK and having so many people out here that are supporting the golf is great."

The sight of the 29-year-old out clocking up the miles along the Welsh coastline is a sign she is ready to put herself in the running for a maiden major this week.

“On Sunday I pretty much felt back to normal. It took three weeks. It's been quite frustrating because I've not been able to get out into the gym," she said.

“Yesterday I did a run actually, but the week before I was sick I hurt my back lifting a box out of my car, and then my back's been really playing up and I've not been hitting it as well because I've not been able to go to the gym and do my rehab exercises.

“I'm not hitting it the best coming into this week which is very frustrating because it's an event I've been looking forward to playing all year. I've just got to go out there with what I've got.

“At the end it's just a game of golf and you've got to go out there and have fun. I'm not going to let it beat me up too much. Apart from that, I feel pretty good.”

Charley will get her Championship under way at 8:31am on Thursday, playing in a star-studded group with three-time major winner Minjee Lee and world number two Jeeno Thitikul.

Another young superstar who has been the focus of much attention coming into the week is Lottie Woad.

And Charley can’t help but step back and admire the 21-year-old – who took 13 days to secure the first victory of her professional career at the ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open last week.

“I think what Lottie Woad has done is absolutely unbelievable”, she said.

“I played with her in the practice rounds in Ireland, and I played with her in the first two rounds last week. At the minute I feel like she's playing with such confidence she can't miss a shot.

“I think it's great to see. She's a breath of fresh air for the game.”

You can now access full tee times for Thursday and Friday.