UK golfer Hull hopes smoking will be permitted at the Olympics

Olympic athletes are usually known for their clean living, but British golfer Charley Hull is worried that a possible smoking ban will affect her ability to control her nerves.

Hull has attracted attention on social media for smoking during competitions, but the 28-year-old is worried she will not be allowed to at Le Golf National this week.

"I do smoke on the course," Hull said ahead of Wednesday's first round of the women's event.

"It's a habit but I won't do it this week... I don't think you're allowed.

"Yeah, I think it will (affect her). Because it relaxes me a little bit. But it is what it is."

Hull however added that "hopefully" France's reputation as a country with a high rate of smokers will see her be allowed to avoid any Olympic ban on lighting up on the fairways.

The world number 11 became a cult figure online during this year's US Open, being dubbed the "female John Daly" in a nod to the famously chain-smoking two-time men's major champion.

She said she had started smoking in a bid to stop vaping.

"I was a bit stressed last year and I just kind of vaped," Hull said at the US Open in June.

"And I wanted to stop vaping, and even though smoking is not better than vaping, it's just you can vape indoors all the time.

"I thought if I smoke, I'm going to go outside and smoke a cigarette."

Hull said most of the extra fame she has garnered for her habit had largely passed her by.

"I don't go on social media or anything. I just let my agent do it. I just concentrate on my golf."