Europe’s defeat in the Solheim Cup was comprehensive, leading to concern as to how the gap to the United States could be adequately bridged. In the midst of a grim picture, though, Georgia Hall emerged as a debutant star; the 21-year-old from Bournemouth belied her inexperience and was trusted to appear in all five Solheim sessions. “Georgia performed beautifully,” said Europe’s captain, the much-decorated Annika Sorenstam.
“When I think back, I remember it all,” says Hall when considering August’s events in Iowa. “I knew it would be amazing but I didn’t actually know it would be as good as it was. It was an incredible experience throughout every minute. I already cannot wait for two years’ time; once you play in one, you just want to stay in the team for the rest of your career.
“All your golf career you are on your own, it is just you. To actually be with someone else, to be paired with someone by a captain, before you even tee off you feel like there is a partnership and trust. That is quite special.”
Hall’s pause for reflection is timely. She tees off in Dubai on Wednesday for the final event of the Ladies European Tour season with the order of merit title already secure. In the aftermath, she will allow herself the holiday she hasn’t been on since the age of six. “I think it will be nice to chill out and celebrate the season I’ve had,” she says of a six-week break from golf.
How Hall has earned it. She did not emerge from anything remotely resembling an affluent background, meaning serious and regular sacrifices to reach the top. But did such a dedicated approach – it seems no coincidence Tiger Woods was her childhood hero – deny Hall the natural enjoyment or recklessness of youth?
“That was especially the case when I was younger, say from 12 to 18,” she says. “I didn’t really spend time with friends, I was just practising. That has all definitely paid off. I don’t really miss stuff like that because I never had it, I don’t really know what it is like.
“I love golf so much, I love travelling, I love playing in tournaments. I enjoyed the journey to get into a Solheim Cup team, for example, and that became something I was totally focused on. Doing anything else didn’t really interest me. I don’t feel I have lost out anymore; maybe when I was younger, only going to school for half a day before practising, that could be true but I would do it all over again. It is paying off; I love what I do, if I didn’t I wouldn’t do this.”
Hall’s third place in the Women’s British Open provided another breakthrough of sorts. It was especially laudable given the venue, Kingsbarns, was completely new to her. “That tournament is No1 on my list every year,” says Hall. “I’d played really well in the Scottish Open the week before so was confident, got myself in a good position within two days and just told myself: ‘Keep in this.’ I managed to do that, which proved to me that I can win a major and especially a British Open.”
Hall’s understated style, along with her talent, should be cherished. The trappings associated with fame are not a consideration. “Getting attention doesn’t really concern me. I quite like doing my own thing and playing golf. I don’t do this for the recognition of it.”
It seems ludicrous, though, that Hall will head to Dubai with season earnings of just under £350,000. Tommy Fleetwood, after all, collected more than £4.4m when sealing the male equivalent. Yet Hall refuses to cite unfair disparity.
“I can’t do anything about that,” she says. “All I could have done is try to be top of the order of merit, which I have. I can’t be annoyed about what I can’t control or do anything about. It is nice to earn good money but that’s not why I’m out here. I don’t see it as a massive problem; it’s not like another woman is playing against me for different prize money.”
The riches available on the LPGA Tour in the United States are, however, within touching distance. “When I was growing up I said I’d like to turn pro at 18, which I did,” Hall says. “Then I said I wanted to spend two or three years on the European Tour. There wasn’t a rush, I wanted to make that progression. I have now learnt a lot, I didn’t want to go to the LPGA Tour if I didn’t think I could do well there. I think I’m ready now.
“Experience has been so important for me and mentally I have improved more than anything, which has led to the results of this year. I know myself more now, I know my golf game a lot more now.”
The proof of this has arrived from results. Whether she chooses to address it or not, Hall is worthy of more attention than has thus far been the case.
