The LPGA Streak That Cannot Be Broken

Somehow, someway, Charley Hull found herself with a short birdie putt to win the Kroger Queen City Championship outright over world No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul. Her putt wasn't quite kick-in range, but was firmly in the leather and would certainly qualify as a gimme. If you missed what transpired before Hull started her plumb bob pre-putt routine, you'd be outraged at the time she took to line up the shorty and perplexed as to why she stepped off the putt multiple times. She, along with everyone in attendance at TPC River's Bend, was shaken, literally, by the incomprehensible four-putt bogey from Thitikul moments before. One of the best putters on Tour threw away the win in the worst of ways. An uncommitted, decelerated push sealed the choke for Thitikul and ended her bid to become the first repeat winner on Tour this year.

Somehow, someway, the streak of different winners continues with Hull being the beneficiary of Thitkul's gaffe to become lucky winner number 25 through 24 events this year (the Dow Championship in June is a team event). The win for Hull comes after an eventful stretch, both on and off the course, full of close calls and a lengthy list of injuries. In true Charley fashion, she turned a nine-week off diagnosis for a torn ankle ligament into three weeks and finished runner-up last week in the Aramco Team Series event in Houston. Yes, the win was gift-wrapped by Thitikul, but Hull's toughness put her in contention when most players would still be hobbling around in a boot. At this point in the season, it seems like we're destined for an entire year of different winners. When the top-ranked player has her body snatched with a weekend warrior hack on the 18th green, nothing makes sense anymore.