LPGA Golfer Charley Hull Defends Sydney Sweeney Amid Ad Backlash

LPGA standout Charley Hull has voiced her disagreement with critics of actress Sydney Sweeney's recent commercial for the sports betting platform Novig. In an exclusive interview, Hull stated that the backlash is unwarranted and that the advertisement represents standard marketing practices.

Hull, ranked eighth globally, expressed confusion over the negative reactions, particularly from other female athletes. "The amount of backlash that (it) is getting, I just don't understand the way people's brains work," Hull told OutKick. "They're making a big deal out of nothing. It's an actress slash model modeling for an advert. And I think she owns the company as well."

Sweeney holds an undisclosed equity stake in Novig. Hull suggested that the advertisement targets a specific demographic, likely men interested in betting, and does not negatively impact women's sports. "And probably it's 80% of the audience of that company would be males anyway, who do betting or whatever it is," Hull explained. "So I think it's a great idea. I don't understand how it's turning back women's sports because it's not."

Hull further commented on Sweeney's public image, stating, "She's got a great figure, she's got sex appeal. And I think, I don't think there's something wrong with it. She's just a pretty girl. I think people are making a big hoo-hah over absolutely nothing."

When asked to compare the annoyance of slow golfers to Sydney Sweeney critics, Hull humorously responded, "Both," before the interview shifted focus to an upcoming indoor golf tournament.

Hull also spoke about her own involvement in promoting the "on!vitational" indoor golf event, scheduled for October 16-17 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. She views such events as opportunities to grow the game of golf in a more modern and appealing way. "I just feel like it's a good opportunity to, you know, grow the game of golf in a different kind of way rather than being an old man sport. I think this is kind of like a young, kind of cool vibe," she said.

Hull, who uses nicotine pouches during the LPGA season, expressed enthusiasm for the variety of flavors offered by the "on!" brand.