Charley Hull withdraws from Evian Championship mid-round after ‘collapsing on tee’

The Englishwoman had reportedly been struggling with a virus in France

Charley Hull had been struggling with a virus, according to reports (Getty Images)

Charley Hull has been forced to withdraw from the Evian Championship due to illness after the English golfer reportedly collapsed on the tee.

Hull was one-under-par through 12 holes in France at the time of her withdrawal having begun on the 10th hole at the penultimate women’s major of the year.

The Golf Channel reported that Hull collapsed on the fourth tee box and received medical treatment, with the group behind her allowed to play through.

Hull then fell to the floor again after striking her tee shot as her exit from the tournament was confirmed amid reports that she had been struggling with a virus.

Currently ranked 19th in the world, the Englishwoman has featured regularly in the top five at majors over the last decade but is still chasing her first victory.

Her playing partners, world No 4 Ruoning Yin and Haeran Ryu, completed the opening round as a two-ball, with the former signing for a one-over 72 and the latter eight-over following a round of 79.

Ireland’s Leona Maguire, a two-time winner on the LPGA Tour, is among the first round at -6 in France after making a hole in one for a second, while England’s Lottie Woad has made a solid start - the amateur sits at -3 after winning the Irish Open last weekend.

Minjee Lee is one shot away from the top, while defending champion Ayaka Furue sits joint seventh in the standings alongside world number one Nelly Korda after both scored 67 in the opening round, finishing on four under.