Former Open champion Tony Jacklin believes teenage sensation Charley Hull has the ability to go on and become one of ‘true greats’ of golf.
Hull won a conditional card for this year’s European Tour after showing her potential at the British Masters and the LPGA Kraft Nabisco Championship where she finished 18th and 38th respectively.
Since joining the Ladies European Tour, the 17-year-old has held her own against some of the more established regulars, finishing second in five of six events.
At the age of nine, Hull started to show her quality by winning the Ladies’ Golf Union’s Health Perception Championship at Turnberry in 2005.
The success of the Kettering youngster has seen her fly up to third in the European rankings and Jacklin expects her to continue rising to become the best around.
The two met at the 2012 British par-three tournament and have remained good friends, with the Brit travelling across to America to stay at his place in Florida.
Jacklin said: “She’s a precocious talent and just a great kid.
“Her work ethic is unbelievable. I think this is just the tip of the iceberg. If she stays well she’ll be one of the true greats that there has ever been.
“There’s so many ways to mess up if you’re not careful. You’ve just got to keep your head on straight.
“I’ve been 50 years a pro and I’ve seen almost everything. The key is not playing too much and staying fresh mentally.”
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