"Thanks for the smokin'"- Nelly Korda's playful response to getting beaten by Charley Hull
European golfer Charley Hull and US golfer Nelly Korda were the top players from their respective teams at the recently concluded 2024 Solheim Cup in Gainesville, Virginia. Although the US won the tournament, Hull triumphed over Korda in their singles clash on Sunday, 6-4.
The winning margin was Charley Hull's largest ever at the Solheim Cup. Sadly, it was also Nelly Korda's worst-ever losing margin at the biennial event. The opening singles match between the two was the most anticipated one in the tournament. Eventually, the US won the title for the first time since 2017, with 15.5-12.5. The side had dominated the field since the first day.
Charley Hull recently took to social media to pen down a heartfelt note about the Solheim Cup. She wrote:
"Played our hearts out this week and always fun playing with Nelly Korda. Had such an incredible week with the best team🇪🇺 Thank you Suzann Pettersen for being a great captain. Congratulations Team USA on the win, Bring on 2026,"
The first photo that Hull chose for her memorable carousel was a snapshot of her and Korda. The latter commented under the post with a cheeky response and finished it off with a tongue-in-cheek emoji. She said:
"We’ll call it 1-1 this week ;) lol thanks for the “smokin”"
During their singles match, the English golfer had taken a break and lit up a cigarette. A fan from the stands had called her "gorgeous" to which she had smiled.
Nelly Korda's comment may also be a reference to Hull's recent viral video where she was seen smoking during the practice rounds of the Solheim Cup. She borrowed a lighter from a fan to light her cigarette. While different golf courses may have different rules regarding smoking on the field, Hull didn't break any regulations at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club.
The english golfer had been spotted smoking at several tournaments before and had even signed a lucky fan's cigarette once. The 28-year-old had opened up on struggling with stress and how smoking, despite its health risks, helped her cope. She had taken to it as a way to quit vaping.
"I know I have what it takes to play Nelly," - Charley Hull
World No.1 Nelly Korda is one of the most formidable players in the world right now. In the 2024 season, Bradenton Native went on to add six LPGA titles to her name, five of which were consecutively won. The 26-year-old also picked up her second major title at the Chevron Championship while placing T2 at the AIG Women's Open.
Beating the 14-time LPGA Tour by 6-4 at a Solheim Cup fixture is tough. However, Charley Hull managed to do so with class. Hull hasn't had the greatest seasons this year, but defeating Korda with her largest-ever winning margin in a Solheim Cup might be one of the highlights for the 28-year-old.
Charley Hull said via the LPGA website:
"I knew I had to go out there and shoot a low score, and Suzann said to me they always knew I was going to play Nelly out first, and if anyone could beat her, I can, and that's what she said to me. So it gave me good confidence,"
She further added:
"I know I have what it takes to play Nelly, and I feel like I left a few shots out there, as well, a few putts, but it was a good match, and I felts like we gave the crowd what they wanted to see,"
Eventually, it was a birdie by Lilia Vu that secured the US team with a historic victory.