LPGA Tour standout Charley Hull is known for her sharp game and quick wit, but her latest attempt at humor has backfired in a major way. The 30-year-old golfer, currently competing at the AIG Women’s Open, admitted she played a prank on her longtime caddie, Adam Woodward, that many are calling just plain cruel.
According to Hull, she handed Woodward a fake lottery ticket and let him believe he had won $100,000. The reaction was immediate and emotional. “He took his hat off, took his glasses off, and literally started running around the players lounge shouting, ‘I’ve won $100,000. I’m taking today off,’” Hull recounted. “His face was so happy. He was sweating, trembling—he couldn’t believe his luck. Then we had to tell him it was fake, and he nearly quit the job.”
For Woodward, a caddie who has been by Hull’s side through thick and thin, the moment of joy turned into a gut-punch. And for many fans, the prank crossed a line. Social media erupted with criticism, with one fan writing, “Wealthier people doing jokes like this to people ‘below’ them is actually just sociopath behavior.” Another added, “Don’t ever joke about money with people who have less than you, let alone pull a prank on winning life-changing money. What a cruel act.”
Some fans even suggested Woodward should retaliate in his own way. “He should put an extra club in the bag and tell her about it on the 13th hole on Thursday—then quit,” one commenter wrote. “Legend status for life.” The backlash echoes the recent Uruguay's cruel commercial flight punishment that also drew public outrage.
Hull, who is no stranger to high-pressure moments on the course, seemed to treat the incident as a lighthearted joke. But for many, the power dynamic between a star athlete and her caddie makes the prank feel less funny and more hurtful. It’s a reminder that even playful antics can land wrong when there’s a disparity in wealth and status.
Despite the controversy, Hull remains focused on her game. She’s chasing her first major title after coming agonizingly close earlier this season at the U.S. Women’s Open, where she finished one stroke behind Nelly Korda. “It’s just frustrating. Another second place. I think that’s five second-place finishes I’ve had in majors now,” Hull said after that event. “I played really well the last day. Obviously missed a couple putts on the back nine, but it was quite windy, and I hit the ball fantastic, so fair play to Nelly Korda for back-to-back wins.”
Hull’s competitive drive is undeniable, and she’s long been a fan favorite for her aggressive style and down-to-earth personality. But this prank has tarnished her image in the eyes of some. As she tees off at the AIG Women’s Open, all eyes will be on her performance—and on whether Woodward is still by her side. The incident also brings to mind the fallout from Tiger Woods' caddie move that ended a legendary friendship.
For now, Hull has apologized and moved on, but the damage to her reputation may take longer to repair. In a sport built on respect and camaraderie, this prank has left a sour taste—and a lot of fans hoping her caddie finds greener fairways elsewhere.
