'Next year will be my time'

Charley Hull vowed to make 2024 her year following her latest runners-up finish in a major at the AIG Women’s Open.

Hull carried the hopes of a nation around Walton Heath on Sunday when she set out as part of the final group in a share of the lead with Lilia Vu.

But a peerless performance by the American, combined with Hull’s one-over-par round of 73, saw Vu finish six shots clear and left Hull to reflect on her second near-miss of the year.

The 27-year-old shared second at the US Women’s Open, just as she did at the Chevron Championship back in 2016, but believes she can soon find the major-winning formula.

“It's just annoying because this is my fourth second-place finish of the year, and second second-place finish in a major [this year],” she said.

“But I really feel like next year will be my time for me just because I'm going to really focus on working on that over this winter.

"I feel like I want to start tomorrow with my coach.”

Hull’s chances of building early momentum were checked by back-to-back bogeys at 2 and 3 but she was luckless at the 5th, seeing a birdie putt lip out in agonising fashion.

Her round was not short of moments of magic, not least the chip-in from the greenside bunker at the 11th and long-range birdie putt at 18, but the Englishwoman was honest enough to admit she was beaten by the better player on the day.

“She [Vu] played unbelievable, really,” Hull said.

“And I just don't feel like I got a break, to be fair. Starting from the first hole, I hit a good putt.

“At 5, I lipped-out. It was a death lipout all the way around the hole. I just didn't feel anything went my way, even some lies that I had and I was just running out of steam at the end.”

Though Hull ultimately fell short in her bid to be crowned Champion at a course just half an hour away from her home, she will not forget her week in Surrey in a hurry.

Fans young and old turned out in force to get behind her and Hull hopes to have had a particular impact on the next generation.

“It's unbelievable,” she said. “I was shocked how many young kids came up to me and the signs, they are lovely.

“It's quite cute and really inspiring because when I was younger I used to look up to Laura [Davies], so it's kind of cool how they are looking up to me now.”