EVIAN-LES-BAINS – Georgia Hall’s victory at the Ricoh Women’s British Open wasn’t a fluke. It wasn’t even unexpected. Anyone following Hall over the last two years knew the Englishwoman was the real deal. She was trending towards that breakthrough victory that came at Royal Lytham & St Annes in August. She finished T3 the year before at Kingsbarns and in the weeks leading up to this year’s championship she recorded her first top 10 of 2018.
But after her win, Hall felt she had even more to prove. Not to anyone else, but to herself.
“I didn’t want to win a major and then miss a cut,” Hall said from the Evian Championship on Tuesday. “I always try and beat what I’m thinking, go against myself.”
So far, Hall has been successful in beating those thoughts. The rookie followed her victory with a T28 finish in Canada and backed that up with a runner-up finish in Portland to give herself an extra boost heading into the season’s final major.
“Now, I’m just relaxed and just enjoying the rest of the events this year.”
By getting her first win and first major title, Hall checked two major items off her bucket list, which forced her to reevaluate her goals for the remainder of the year. Now, she’s set her sights on the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year race, in which she’s currently ranked second, 308 points behind Jin Young Ko.
She’s also keeping an eye on the Rolex Rankings.
Since her victory at Royal Lytham & St Annes, Hall climbed to No. 8 in the world and became the first Englishwoman to be ranked inside the top 10. With her victory, she also made history as the first player from England to win the championship since Karen Stupples in 2004.
“Creating history,” said Hall about what she’s achieved. “It’s nice to know that I’m doing these things.”
Becoming world No. 1 would be another record-breaker, as no Englishwoman has held the top spot in the Rolex Rankings since it’s inception in 2006. Reaching the top of the rankings wasn’t Hall’s priority when she turned pro four years ago, and has only become more of a reality with the success she’s found over the last two years.
“It’s definitely the main goal in my mind,” Hall said about taking over the No. 1 spot. “Winning this week or winning LPGA events is only going to get me closer.”
This week, Englishman Justin Rose ascended to No. 1 in the world rankings. Hall wished him congratulations and she would love nothing more than to join her compatriot at the top of the golfing world.
“I’m not miles away from that,” Hall said about becoming No. 1.
If Hall reaches the top spot in the Rolex Rankings, she wouldn’t have anything more to prove. Except to maybe her.
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