Team GB Olympian fears ban on smoking will hurt her chances of gold medal

The English golfer finished tied for seventh at Rio 2016.

The 28-year-old from Kettering went viral a couple of months back after she was pictured smoking a cigarette on the course at the US Open in Pennsylvania.

Speaking in an interview on The Dan Le Batard Show YouTube channel, Hull said: "It's actually quite funny. I don't know - all over a cigarette, I suppose.

"But I genuinely was walking to the range and had my hands full. Someone asked me for an autograph and I'm not going to say no because I always like signing autographs for them.

"I just had a cigarette in my mouth, signed it and then it's gone viral. I don't know. It's just one of those things. It's been crazy."

Hull, who has notoriously gained the nickname the “female John Daly” because of her rockstar-like personality, will need to be at the top of her game to beat current world number one Nelly Korda.

The American is the favourite for the women's competition after tying an LPGA record with five straight victories - including her second major - earlier this season.

Speaking to ITV News, Hull opened up about her ADHD diagnosis and admitted that smoking helps to calm her nerves.

Asked if the smoking ban would affect her, Hull replied: “Yeah, I think it will. Because it relaxes me a little bit. But it is what it is.

“I do smoke on the course. It’s a habit, something I do. But I won’t do it this week. I don’t think you’re allowed.”

Hull and her teammate Georgia Hall endured a difficult first day at Le Golf National on Wednesday.

Hull carded a nine-over 81 to sit 58th of 60 competitors, while Hall's 74 left her tied for 30th at two over par.

There is no cut in the event, so neither is danger of going out of the tournament, but they are well adrift of leader Celine Boutier after the first of four rounds.

Hull tees off at 11:44am this morning, hoping that she can put in a better performance than yesterday's first round.