What a year it’s been for Georgia Hall.
The Bournemouth, England native has certainly been in the spotlight ever since capturing this year’s Ricoh Women’s British Open in August for her first ever major victory. But, truth be told, Hall isn’t some one-hit wonder who just had a lucky week on the course.
Rather, the win at Royal Lytham & St. Annes is really just the culmination of the hard work, dedication, and strong play Hall has displayed for several years now. The 22-year-old, who turned pro in 2014 and joined the LPGA Tour full-time this season, is seventh in the Rolex rankings, sits inside the top 20 in the race to the CME Globe rankings and has earned close to $1 million this year. Hall finished second at the Cambia Portland Classic, tied for seventh at Thornberry Creek, tied for 13th at the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open and tied for 16th at the Evian Championship.
Before heading to the States to compete, Hall earned the Ladies European Tour Player of the Year award and won their Order of Merit in 2017. She finished tied for third at the British Open that year – a harbinger of things to come.
Many became Hall fans following her strong play at her first Solheim Cup in Des Moines. Although the U.S. topped team Europe to retain the Cup, Hall paired with Anna Nordqvist for two foursomes wins during the week and took Paula Creamer to the final hole in their singles match on Sunday.
Hall competed in the recent UL International Crown at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in South Korea. England finished second in a tie with the U.S. and Hall defeated American Cristie Kerr 2 and 1 in singles.
Although life has definitely become busier for Hall these days, she takes it all in stride staying true to herself and the strong character she was raised with. No doubt the wins will keep coming, but Hall says they won’t ever change who she is and what she values.
JL: What was the UL Crown experience like? Compare that event vibe with a Solheim Cup.
GH: It was a great experience. We were incredibly well looked after and the crowds were great throughout the event despite some bad weather. It is fun playing as part of a team. The Solheim Cup has more history for me and I guess a little more rivalry because it is just two teams competing.
JL: How do you feel you performed from an individual perspective? As a team?
GH: I was happy with the way I played; it was great to win my singles on Sunday. I think the team did really well, finishing T2 against the other eight strong teams was a good result.
JL: With some time and experience under your belt, what has surprised you most about competing on the LPGA Tour? Differences from the Ladies European Tour?
GH: As I am coming to the end of my first season on the LPGA, I think at first I was surprised how tiring it was. It takes time to adjust to travelling from England and I was always going to a new place and new golf course I had never seen before. The LPGA is just on a much bigger scale.
JL: How has winning a Major impacted your life both as a player and personally?
GH: As a player, it has given me more confidence, particularly competing at Majors or being in contention. Personally, not much has changed for me although I am a lot busier!
JL: What was it that “clicked” for you in your game over the past say year or two that has propelled you into a position as one of the world’s best players?
GH: I think a lot of hard work has paid off and I have matured as a player in my course management.
JL: Discuss the importance family plays in your life.
GH: Family is very important to me. My dad introduced me to golf, so I have to thank him for getting started.
JL: What are some of your earliest golfing memories?
GH: My earliest golfing memory is that my dad took me to a golf range when I was 7 years old. I got my first handicap of 36 when I was 9 and within a year I got my handicap down to 10 so after that I think I knew it was what I wanted to do.
JL: Talk about your Solheim Cup experience and what you learned about yourself.
GH: I loved playing in the Solheim Cup and making the 2019 team is a goal of mine. I drew on some of my experience from amateur match play events. Being part of a team definitely brings out my determination and drive to win and you create strong bonds as a team.
JL: What areas of your game you are focusing on right now?
GH: Short game is so important in golf so I’m often working on that with my coach Dan Grieve.
JL: Who are your role models in the game? Do you see yourself as a role model for younger players?
GH: Tiger Woods was always a role model for me growing up and still is today. It is great to think I can inspire young golfers just by playing, them seeing me on TV or at events. I love meeting fans and golf is an amazing lifelong sport.
JL: Who would you like to fill out your dream foursome and where are you teeing it up?
GH: Tiger Woods, Serena Williams, Brad Pitt – playing the Old Course, St. Andrews.
JL: What is one thing very few people know about you that you think would surprise them?
GH: I have a tattoo.
JL: How do you measure success?
GH: It is obviously great to have wins under your belt, but I love competing week in week out and for that to happen you have to find success in all areas of your game.
JL: What’s still on your bucket list?
GH: I would love to be World No. 1. I thought Justin Rose’s recent World No. 1 ranking was inspiring and it would be great if we could have an English No. 1 on the men’s and women’s rankings at the same time!
