Charley Hull has opened up about her mindset while teaming up with Michael Brennan at the Grant Thornton Invitational, revealing that nerves and self-doubt were very much part of her week. The English star partnered with Brennan at the mixed-field event, and despite her worries, the pair got off to a flying start, finishing the opening 18 holes tied for the lead.
Speaking after the round on Friday, Hull admitted she was anxious heading into the tournament after making changes to her swing just a week earlier. She explained that things felt so off during practice that she feared Brennan might judge her performance harshly.
She joked that when she arrived on Tuesday, she could barely keep the ball in play and was genuinely nervous about competing. Hull confessed she kept thinking Brennan would believe she was playing poorly, but thankfully, everything clicked once the tournament began and the round went far better than expected.
Brennan, however, had nothing but praise for his partner. He acknowledged that his own game had been shaky in the days leading up to the event and that he went to bed worried they might struggle. While he hit a few wayward tee shots early on, Hull’s consistency and a couple of clutch putts helped steady the team and build momentum.
After the first round, Hull and Brennan sat at 17-under-par, sharing the lead with Lexi Thompson and Wyndham Clark. The tournament features several elite names from both the LPGA and PGA Tours. Nelly Korda and Denny McCarthy ended the day tied for fourth, while other notable pairings include Jason Day with Lydia Ko.
Hull also spoke about how much she enjoys competing in a mixed-field event. She said it’s refreshing and fun to play alongside the men, especially since those opportunities don’t come often. According to her, sharing the course allows players to learn from one another and see how others approach their rounds.
Brennan echoed those sentiments, saying the week has been enjoyable for him as well. While he didn’t know many of the LPGA players beforehand, he said meeting and playing with Hull has been a great experience, adding that watching her pull off some impressive shots was a highlight of the round.
Hull arrived at the Grant Thornton Invitational after a strong run on the LPGA Tour. She opened her season with a T19 finish at the Founders Cup, followed by an impressive T4 at the HSBC Women’s World Championship.
Her recent win at the Kroger Queen City Championship and several high finishes — including runner-up at the AIG Women’s Open and top-15 results at multiple major events — underline the form she’s carried into this unique team competition.
