Charley Hull has been informed she cannot smoke while playing in the women’s golf this week and the Englishwoman fears the ban might hamper her pursuit of gold.

Hull went viral recently when she was pictured with a cigarette hanging from her mouth as she signed autographs for fans at the US Women’s Open. The 28-year-old laughed off the exposure, saying “everyone in my family smokes – my dad goes through 40 a day”.

Hull, who describes herself as a “gym freak”, is supremely fit, but believes that puffing away helps after being diagnosed last year with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, the world No.11, will not be able to rely on tobacco relief for the 72-hole event that starts at Le Golf National on Wednesday (5pm AEST).

“Yeah, I do smoke on the course, it’s just something I do,” Hull said after her practice round for the 60-woman tournament. “It’s a habit but I won’t do it this week.” When asked why, Hull replied: I don’t think you’re allowed.”

And Hull seriously does believe it could affect her chances as she tries to do better than her tie for seventh in Rio and replicate Justin Rose’s gold in 2016 or Tommy Fleetwood’s silver on Sunday. “Yeah, I think it will,” Hull said. “Because it relaxes me a little bit. But it is what it is.” When suggested that France is an unlikely place to deny smokes, Hull responded: “Hopefully, yeah.”

Telegraph, London