A star-studded rookie in 2018, Georgia Hall’s career forever changed on the final day at the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club. In her 29th total start on the LPGA Tour, England’s own earned the moniker of major champion after earning her maiden title by two strokes over Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum. She became the ninth player in the major’s history to have the championship mark her first major title, and the fourth to make her a Rolex First-Time Winner overall. It’s a week forever engrained in the now two-time Tour winner’s mind.
“Obviously it was the best moment in my career and my aim is always to win as many of these Opens as possible, especially on big championship courses like this one,” said Hall, who won with her father on the bag. “It's my highlight of the year playing this event, so I always have a lot of confidence going in, and I really enjoy the week.”
Hall enters the championship with an impressive -34 combined score to par in the AIG Women’s Open since 2017, the lowest of any player. Her win, as well as her tie for second in 2021 and tie for third in 2017, are the best finishes of any golfer over the last five years. Hall has been able to get a feel for Muirfield over the past few days, commenting that the final holes and their challenges may prove entertaining in the closing stretch, but for the most part feels “very confident” embarking in her favorite event of the year.
“I've played it where I think the wind is going to be. 14, 15, I've had driver, 3-wood into two par 4s which is I think very tricky,” said Hall. “Obviously 18 is a long hole as well, driver, 4-iron in. So I think the last four, five, six holes are the trickiest, and I think they should be and it will be a great closing holes for whoever is leading. You definitely need to kind of stay fairly aggressive.”
And though it may seem the pressure is on Hall to deliver, the 26-year-old brushes it off, appreciating the ability to make history on what the game’s most historic course. “I just feel very happy to be playing at home,” said Hall. “I just try and take advantage as much as I can and really enjoy having – when I walk on the first tee tomorrow, I'm sure there will be lots of people watching.”