Three weeks ago she was collapsing on a tee box. Now she’s three shots from her first major championship.

Charley Hull’s remarkable resurgence continued Saturday at Royal Porthcawl, where the English golfer fired a 6-under 66 to vault into contention at the AIG Women’s Open just three weeks after a viral infection forced her dramatic withdrawal from the Evian Championship. Hull, who collapsed twice on the fourth tee during the opening round at Evian, now sits three shots behind leader Miyu Yamashita heading into Sunday’s final round.

The 29-year-old’s third-round performance represented one of the day’s most significant moves, as she climbed from 11 shots back to within striking distance of her first major championship. Hull recorded seven birdies against one bogey while requiring just 23 putts, a clinic in precision that had the sizeable Welsh galleries roaring their approval throughout the afternoon.

Rapid Recovery Timeline

Hull’s presence in contention comes after what she described as battling “extreme fatigue, weight loss, and a decrease in swing speed” following her viral infection. The two-time LPGA Tour winner was forced to receive medical attention at Evian after collapsing on the tee box, ultimately departing the course via medical cart and withdrawing from the tournament.

Medical staff attended to Hull for approximately 15 minutes before her second collapse prompted the withdrawal decision. Her agent later confirmed that intravenous fluids, rest, and nutrition helped alleviate her symptoms, though concerns lingered about her ability to return to competitive form so quickly.

“Thanks for all the messages guys. Today I’ve started to feel a lot better. And excited to be back and fit for the Scottish and AIG woman’s open,” Hull posted on social media within days of the incident, signaling her determination to return for the season’s final major.

Chasing Elusive Major Breakthrough

Saturday’s charge positions Hull for another attempt at capturing her first major championship after three previous runner-up finishes. The Kettering native finished second at the 2016 ANA Inspiration, tied for second at the 2016 Chevron Championship, and was runner-up at the 2023 AIG Women’s Open at Walton Heath.

Hull’s major championship record includes nine top-10 finishes across all five events, establishing her as one of the tour’s most consistent performers in golf’s biggest tournaments despite the absence of a breakthrough victory. Her 2023 runner-up finish at this event, where she finished four shots behind Lilia Vu, marked her closest approach to major championship glory.

“I just kind of enjoy chasing,” Hull said following her third round. “It’s more fun that way. I like hunting someone down.” The comment reflects Hull’s well-documented preference for pursuing leaders rather than protecting advantages, a mindset that has characterized much of her professional career.

Favorable Final-Round Position

Hull will tee off at 2:00 PM local time alongside American Megan Khang, positioning her in the penultimate group and 20 minutes ahead of the final pairing featuring Yamashita and A Lim Kim. The timing allows Hull to apply early pressure while potentially benefiting from any struggles by the leaders playing behind her.

Weather forecasts predict morning rain and wind gusts reaching 40 mph, conditions that could significantly impact scoring and create opportunities for players to make dramatic moves up the leaderboard. Hull’s experience in challenging British conditions, combined with the home-country support, may provide additional advantages as she pursues her maiden major.

Championship Implications

A victory would make Hull the first English winner of the AIG Women’s Open since Georgia Hall’s triumph in 2018 and cap one of the most remarkable comeback stories in recent major championship history. The timing of her resurgence, coming in the final major of 2025 and on British soil, adds narrative weight to her pursuit.

Hull’s charge also highlights the wide-open nature of Sunday’s finale, with nine players positioned within five shots of Yamashita’s lead. The Japanese leader struggled to a 2-over 74 Saturday, opening the door for multiple players to claim their first major championship.

The final round at Royal Porthcawl promises significant drama as Hull attempts to complete her journey from medical emergency to major champion in the span of three weeks.