‘I Was a Little Intimidated’: Charley Hull Gets Honest About Playing with Lydia Ko

Golf fans love Charley Hull for many reasons — her fearless swing, her candid personality, and her ability to say what others only think. But even the boldest players can have moments of vulnerability.

In a surprising confession that’s now gone viral, the 28-year-old British golfer admitted she felt “a little intimidated” when paired with New Zealand superstar Lydia Ko during a recent LPGA team event.

“It’s not something I usually say,” Hull laughed in her post-round interview. “But honestly, playing with Lydia made me a bit nervous. She’s just so calm and composed — I didn’t want to mess up too much!”

Her comment instantly struck a chord with golf fans around the world. After all, if one of the sport’s most confident and expressive players can admit to being starstruck, maybe there’s something beautifully human about even the highest levels of competition.

When Power Meets Poise

Hull and Ko could hardly be more different in style and demeanor.

Charley Hull, known for her fearless energy and aggressive play, thrives on adrenaline. She plays fast, talks fast, and lives even faster. She’s outspoken, occasionally fiery, and never afraid to show her emotions on the course.

Lydia Ko, on the other hand, is golf’s picture of calm. With her smooth tempo, measured speech, and almost meditative focus, she represents the opposite end of the spectrum — pure composure.

So when the LPGA announced the two would be paired together for a mixed-format team event, fans were curious: how would the firebrand from England and the zen master from New Zealand work as a duo?

As it turned out — beautifully.

“It was one of those pairings that just worked,” Hull said. “I learned a lot from her. She’s steady, she’s precise, and she knows exactly how to keep the energy positive.”

‘I’m Glad I Didn’t Mess Up Too Much’

Hull’s admission that she felt intimidated wasn’t just self-deprecating humor — it was genuine respect.

“Lydia has this aura about her,” Hull explained. “She’s done everything — world No. 1, major winner, Hall of Fame career — and yet she’s so humble. When you’re playing beside someone like that, you just want to bring your best.”

She laughed as she recalled a few tense moments on the course. “There was this one hole where I hit a shot I wasn’t too happy with,” she said. “I turned to Lydia and said, ‘You’ll have to bail me out again.’ She just smiled and said, ‘We’ve got this.’ That calmed me down instantly.”

Ko, ever the professional, brushed off the idea that her presence might have been intimidating.

“Charley’s amazing,” Ko said. “She brings so much energy to every round. I think we balanced each other really well — she pushed me to be bolder, and I helped her slow things down when needed.”

The duo’s chemistry was undeniable. Between holes, they joked, shared laughs, and even high-fived after clutch putts. By the end of the event, they weren’t just teammates — they were fan favorites.

Two Stars, One Mutual Respect

For both players, the partnership was a chance to step outside their comfort zones. Hull, who thrives in high-pressure, emotional environments like the Solheim Cup, got a taste of Ko’s quieter, more methodical approach.

“She’s the calmest person I’ve ever played with,” Hull said. “Even when things got tight, she never changed her tone or expression. It’s inspiring, really. I could use some of that.”

Ko, meanwhile, seemed to enjoy Hull’s unfiltered personality. The New Zealander, known for her diplomacy and politeness, found Hull’s fiery charm refreshing.

“Charley reminds me that golf is supposed to be fun,” Ko said. “She has this joy that’s contagious. I think it rubbed off on me a little.”

Their contrasting styles — Hull’s energy and Ko’s serenity — created a balance that many believe could make them one of the LPGA’s most exciting pairings in future team formats.

Fans Can’t Get Enough

Once Hull’s interview aired, golf Twitter and Reddit lit up. Fans flooded comment sections with admiration for her honesty.

“Charley Hull admitting she was intimidated by Lydia Ko just proves how much respect there is between players,” one fan wrote.
Another added, “Hull is one of the most confident golfers out there. Hearing her say that about Lydia makes me love them both even more.”

Clips of their teamwork — Hull fist-pumping after Ko drained a 20-foot putt, Ko laughing after Hull’s cheeky celebration — spread quickly across social media.

Many fans said the pair embodied what modern women’s golf should be: competitive, entertaining, and full of genuine personality.

“They’re the perfect example of how rivals can be teammates — and friends,” a fan tweeted. “It’s like watching two different worlds collide in the best way possible.”

A Lesson in Humility and Humanity

While Hull’s confession made headlines, it also revealed something deeper about her growth as a player and a person.

She’s long been celebrated for her boldness — the player who smokes before rounds, cracks jokes mid-tournament, and plays as if nothing fazes her. But this moment of humility showed a side of her fans rarely get to see.

“I’m confident, sure,” Hull said. “But confidence doesn’t mean you don’t respect greatness. Lydia’s one of the best ever. I was just honored to share the fairway with her.”

That kind of honesty is rare in elite sports, where athletes often feel pressure to project unshakable confidence. But Hull’s candor struck a chord — a reminder that even professionals get nervous when standing beside greatness.

A Partnership Fans Hope to See Again

After their successful showing, many insiders are wondering whether Hull and Ko will team up again in future LPGA or international events. Sources close to both players say the experience was so positive that they’ve already discussed doing it again.

“Let’s just say we’ve joked about a rematch,” Hull said with a grin. “Maybe next time I won’t be as intimidated.”

For Ko, the admiration is mutual. “I’d team up with Charley again in a heartbeat,” she said. “She makes golf feel alive.”

Whether it happens next season or down the road, fans are already eager to see it. Their personalities — one fiery, one composed — have created one of golf’s most talked-about duos of the year.

The Bottom Line

Charley Hull’s confession may have started as a lighthearted comment, but it became something much more meaningful: a glimpse into the real emotions that drive even the world’s best athletes.

Her willingness to admit feeling intimidated doesn’t make her weaker — it makes her more relatable. And in an era where authenticity matters as much as victory, that honesty might be her greatest strength.

“Lydia’s incredible,” Hull said again, smiling. “If you’re going to be intimidated by anyone, it might as well be her.”

And just like that, golf fans found their new favorite duo — proof that even on the most competitive fairways, respect, laughter, and a little vulnerability can go a long way