Why Charley Hull’s US Open near-miss shows a major win is close

All-out attack is rarely the safest route in a US Open, but at Riviera Country Club it came very close to working for Charley Hull. Her performance offered another reminder that a major breakthrough may not be far away.

Hull has long been regarded as one of the most talented players in the game, and her latest near-miss only strengthened that view. At one of golf’s toughest tests, she showed the kind of bold approach that can unsettle a field, even if it does not always deliver the final prize.

A bold approach at Riviera

The US Open is usually a tournament that rewards patience, precision and damage limitation. Hull, however, was willing to take a more aggressive route at Riviera Country Club, and for much of the event that strategy put her in contention. It was a style that nearly paid off in a championship where mistakes are often punished immediately.

That is what made the performance so striking. Rather than simply surviving the course, Hull gave herself a chance to challenge for the title. In a major known for exposing weaknesses, she instead highlighted her ability to compete with the best under pressure.

Why the near-miss matters

Near-misses can be frustrating, but they can also be revealing. For Hull, this was another sign that a major win is within reach if she can turn one strong week into a finishing push. The quality was there, the intent was clear, and the result suggested she belongs in the conversation at the highest level.

It would be a shame if we do not soon hear Hull saying something similar again. On the evidence of her display at Riviera, the moment when she turns a near-miss into a major victory may not be too far away.