ISPS HANDA WORLD INVITATIONAL

July 28, 2021

Georgia Hall

Galgorm Castle & Massereene Golf Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Georgia, thanks for stopping by today. 144 men, 144 women here this week, a different event than maybe we're used to, but the first of its kind in the northern hemisphere, tri-sanctioned event between the LPGA, LET and European Tour. I'm sure you get this question a lot, but what does it mean to compete alongside the men, same prize money, same courses, same venues?

GEORGIA HALL: Yeah, obviously a very different event, which is always nice to change it up a bit, as well, and to be playing on the same courses as the men, even though we're not kind of competing with them, I think it will still be a great event, and I look forward to teeing it up tomorrow.

THE MODERATOR: You competed in the Evian Championship last week. You've had a busy LPGA season. Coming off a major, though, how tired are you from competing in a major championship mentally and physically, and how do you build that energy back up to get right back out there?

GEORGIA HALL: Yeah, well, I went home for a day, so that was really nice. Didn't do anything. Then yesterday I was meant to play the other course, but I got called off through thunder, so I only played two holes. So actually I haven't done much, so energy is fine. Hopefully I can play a few holes today and see at least one course.

Q. The good and the bad of the weather, right? You can get some rest but you might not be able to see the course. Is there something to say about just kind of going in somewhat blind to a tournament, or do you like to be as prepared as possible?

GEORGIA HALL: I mean, there's nothing I could really have done yesterday, so I'm not stressed about it at all. Sometimes it's kind of fun to go in a bit blind. Obviously just try and play as well as I can, and I don't think -- it's a fairly straightforward course where you can see what's in front of you. Yeah, hopefully it's fine, but obviously I'm playing the main course, Galgorm, today, and hopefully the rain stays away so I can see that.

Q. There's another event like this in Australia, the Vic Open. You won that tournament in 2016. If you can take us through that experience, what you remember, maybe what that experience could help you build on for this week?

GEORGIA HALL: Yeah, obviously we're playing two courses at the Vic Open, as well, and I really enjoyed that type of format. Obviously great memories from a very similar format a few years ago now, or quite a few years ago. Hopefully I can take that into this week and have a good result.

Q. Is there something about having a men's group ahead of you, behind you, just different faces that you don't normally see? Is there something about that that's maybe a little more calming, makes things less stressful than maybe a normal event?

GEORGIA HALL: I mean, not really. I'm kind of focused on my golf, but yeah, it's obviously very different seeing men in front of you and behind you.

Yeah, I just focus on the event I'm playing in and do the best I can.

Q. From the perspective of trying for the same prize money and what Modest Golf has done as a presenting sponsor, and Niall obviously with his influence in the golf world to help showcase the women's game, just your perspective on everything they've been able to do to help the women's game.

GEORGIA HALL: Yeah, obviously it's fantastic, having equal prize funds. Not something that we get a lot of or something that we're used to. It's fantastic what Modest has done for this event. I missed it a couple years ago, so quite keen to play in it this year, and I think it will be a great success.

Q. Obviously with the Olympics next week, you decided not to play. Just take us through your scheduling perspective of how you came about to play here instead of next week and that kind of thing.

GEORGIA HALL: Yeah, obviously as it got closer towards the Olympics, I saw how much it would squeeze into the schedule of events, especially here in Europe. It was just me, my priority was to prioritize Scottish and British in front of that. Every player had to make a decision and they had to probably miss one event someplace, some missed Evian last week, so I didn't want to miss that event. That's just really the reason, COVID, travel also very hard, this kind of trip in Europe is my favorite of the year, so I really wanted to be there for that.

Q. Priority to be around home for sure. Have you ever been to Northern Ireland, or if you have not, what have you heard about the Galgorm and Massereene courses to help you prepare mentally for the week?

GEORGIA HALL: Yeah, I'm pretty sure I've been to Northern Ireland a few times, I think. I get a bit mixed up, but yeah, I've had -- like fairly straightforward. It's really pretty, especially this course, great like views.

Yeah, I just think -- I can't really comment too much. I haven't seen it myself, but a lot of players have really enjoyed their experience here. Yeah, I'm sure I will, too, and get to see the course this afternoon.

Q. You're obviously coming off a really strong finish in the Evian on Sunday there. You were tied sixth and your best finish in a major since winning the Open in 2018. Obviously I know golfers always like to use the word "trending" when they're talking about their game, but do you feel your game is definitely trending in the right direction heading into these events that you said you want to focus on like the Scottish, obviously the Open again at Carnoustie?

GEORGIA HALL: Yeah, I've had some really good results in the past couple of months. I had a good major championship at KPMG and the week before finishing sixth in America, too.

Yeah, I feel pretty good at the moment. Obviously had good results, and at a good point, I think, in the year to try and continue that for the next few events.

Q. Obviously just coming out like you had such a strong finishing round in France, as well. Obviously a lot of good thoughts and a lot of good vibes heading into this week. That's always good as opposed to maybe finishing a major with a 75 or something like that?

GEORGIA HALL: Yeah, I mean, on the weekend I was 12-under total, so I had a good weekend altogether and managed to hole some good putts. I really enjoy Evian. I always feel very happy there, very happy in Europe in general.

Yeah, I kind of -- in Evian in previous years I've had a couple of top 10s so I was quite confident going into it, so yeah, hopefully I can continue that here in Northern Ireland.

Q. Just a quick one on the tournament itself. I know the sponsors like ISPS Handa and the work that Niall and Modest are doing and all of it, inclusivity and everything for the week, and you see what's happening with Brendan's event and obviously Amy is over this week, as well. Can I get your thoughts on that side of things, obviously with Amy here this week hitting the opening tee shot and things?

GEORGIA HALL: Yeah, I've seen her around. Haven't gotten to talk to her yet. I'm not sure if she's in the pro-am, but yeah, I think it's fantastic what they're doing, and also men's-women's event together, same courses, equal prize money is fantastic. I think it's a good role model for other events in the future.

Q. You'd like to see more events like this in the mix, as well?

GEORGIA HALL: Yeah, definitely. I mean, even if there was a mixed event where you get to play with a guy, like pick-your-partner kind of thing, I think that would be cool.

Q. Any Niall songs on the warmup play list for you?

GEORGIA HALL: Unfortunately not, no. No, I'm more into kind of Kanye West things. I like his song, the slow one. I've got that in my phone. "Slow Hands," that one.

Q. I just heard that this morning, and it stuck in my head all day thanks to our social media producer.

GEORGIA HALL: Yeah, that's a good one.

Q. How much of -- obviously you've talked about Europe, the Europe swing being important to you for the future of this event and the European swing as a whole, how good of an event can this be to be added to a rotation that includes the Evian, the Open and the Scottish? Do you see it as a turn where a lot of people put their attention on it like you do?

GEORGIA HALL: Yeah, definitely. I mean, the European swing is quite tight with all the events so it's great that this event can take place. Obviously it's only in its second year. So yeah, European swing is very important to me especially. I feel like I'm at home here and so nice being in America a lot of the time to only have the one- or two-hour flight. Yeah, I think it's a great success.

THE MODERATOR: We thank you for your time, and best of luck this week.