Georgia Hall: 'I can't wait to represent Europe'
It’s only when the pressure is highest – when every shot matters – that you can truly gauge someone’s character.
And if the past is any judge, one thing seems fairly certain. Georgia Hall is going to be one of the stars of Europe’s Solheim Cup team this week.
Everyone’s sitting up and taking notice of the 22-year-old after a 2017 season that saw her top the points list for selection and put together a run at the British Open at Kingsbarns.
In five LET events, she’s only been out of the top 10 once.
What you want in the heat of battle – and particularly in matchplay – is grit and Hall’s got that in abundance.
Having been behind all the way in the final of the British Amateur in 2013, she worked her way back to all square and then stepped on the jugular – aceing the 17th on her way to victory.
So don’t worry that she’s a rookie. As she revealed when we caught up with her at the Berenberg Gary Player Invitational at Wentworth, Hall is pumped to be in captain Annika Sorenstam’s side…
What does it mean to you to make the European team?
It’s been a dream of mine. I always had two goals – one to get into the Solheim Cup and the second to win the British Open.
It’s going to be amazing and I can’t wait to play and represent Europe.
Where does it rank in your career achievements?
It’s the highest – by a mile. Apart from if I win the British Open then that will always be the highest honour of my career.
Do you enjoy playing matchplay?
It’s my favourite format of golf. I don’t get to play it anymore, because I’m professional but when I was an amateur I used to play a lot of matchplay and I used to do quite well in it. So it will be great to actually play matchplay.
How do you rate yourself then? Do you stare them down?
I would like to say I do. I am quite confident in matchplay – one on one situations. It’s always great fun and I love the competitiveness of it. So I am looking forward to it.
What’s your biggest matchplay achievement?
I won the British girls and the British ladies so I was actually the champion of both at the same time. I think that was the first time that had happened. They are my two biggest.
Who are your Solheim Cup heroes?
It’s got to be Annika (Sorenstam). I think it’s great that she’s captain this time and it made me want to be in the team even more. I think Suzann (Pettersen) is a really fierce competitor as well and Catriona (Matthew) has played in loads. Laura Davies too. There’s quite a few.
Did you have any contact with Annika (before making the team)?
I went to the golf course (in Des Moines) and trained for a few days. She was there and I spoke to her quite a bit. She’s really down to earth and lovely and I saw her at the US Open as well. We’ve spoken a bit.
Who would be your ideal partner?
That’s a tough question. I get on with all the girls so I don’t really mind. I get on on with Carlota (Ciganda), Charley Hull, Anna Nordqvist, so I don’t really mind.
This Solheim Cup is stateside. You went over for the US Open. How did you find that and how might the experience help?
I think it helped massively. I learned quite a lot and was in America for three weeks. I played in the KPMG, and then Thornberry, where I came eighth and then the US Open.
I’m adapting to the US soil and the golf course we are playing is quite European. I think it will suit the Europeans.
How long have you watched the Solheim Cup and what are your earliest memories of it?
Probably for the past six to eight years. I watched bits and bobs and highlights. I just love the foursomes and fourball atmosphere. It’s so rare that you get a partner and you are actually in the same team – and the 12 singles at the end, there’s always a lot of drama in that.
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