ISPS HANDA WOMEN'S SCOTTISH OPEN

August 14, 2024

Georgia Hall

Dundonald Links

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Pleased to welcome Georgia Hall back to Dundonald Links this week. It's been a couple years since you played here. Can you talk about how it feels to be back in Scotland and back at Dundonald?

GEORGIA HALL: Yeah, I wish I played last year now. But yeah, really happy to be back. Favourite country in the world. I love being here. Got great weather today but I heard it's going to be quite awful tomorrow but I'm looking forward to it. I think it will be fun and a challenge.

THE MODERATOR: You played in the Pro-Am today. How is the course looking?

GEORGIA HALL: Yeah, fantastic. It's actually quite soft which is a little bit strange but it's nice. The greens are very receptive and yeah, I think just it's in great condition and very similar to when I played it a couple of years ago.

So yeah, looking forward to it.

THE MODERATOR: Staying on site this week, how nice is it to stay on site, and what's it been like in the lodges this week?

GEORGIA HALL: So easy. Just walk, walk to get something to eat and in the morning saves a bit of time, travel time and the lodges are just lovely northbound in. I'm sharing with Charley. We basically live together every day. But yeah, just really enjoying being here and great also for next week.

THE MODERATOR: And just one more.

Obviously last week was a big week at the Olympics. How did it feel coming into this week, and how is your momentum going heading into next week as well?

GEORGIA HALL: Yeah, four weeks in a row now, second week. I had a great experience last week representing Great Britain and it's just a great honour. Played good golf as well and that golf course is very, very tough, very different to this one, actually.

But yeah, it was a great week nonetheless and obviously with Charley again for that week.

Q. You mentioned the weather forecast tomorrow. What's your attitude like towards bad weather? I remember you played at Gleneagles in that dreadful European Championship.

GEORGIA HALL: I think it's going to be like that. I can't wait. I'm really looking forward to it, actually, because we don't get to play in weather like that, especially on the LPGA. And I think it represents Great Britain very nicely, and obviously being at home.

And I think that you know, definitely not a lot of players are used to it. I mean, I wouldn't even say I'm used to it, but I actually enjoy the challenge. It's kind of real golf, real tough golf.

Q. Have you always felt like that? Has that attitude always been that way?

GEORGIA HALL: I think I've always been that way but also got better throughout the years because I realised how less we actually play in that type of weather, and I just really look forward to playing on links golf in general.

Q. Obviously next week is the big one for yourself included but, what would it mean to win a Scottish Open as well?

GEORGIA HALL: Yeah, definitely, one of the events on the top of my list because I love being in the place and the country and I always try and play every year in this event. Just to play a links golf, we only get to do it once or twice a year so try and make the most of it.

Q. Do you think there is an advantage over the Americans?

GEORGIA HALL: I think definitely British people handle the weather a lot better because we understand the weather here and we have more links golf courses. I would have to say that we have a slight advantage, but at the end of the day, you have to hit the ball straight.

Q. Looking ahead to next week, an iconic venue, is that something you would like to see more of, St Andrews on the women's schedule, whether be another event or The Open itself going back there?

GEORGIA HALL: Yeah, a hundred per cent. Whatever event they have at St Andrews, I'll play in it, even a small one. It's my favourite place to be. I'm not sure that in my career I'll ever get to play St Andrews again, the Women's Open. I'm going to try and make the most of it, be in the best mindset I can be in and enjoy the week.

Q. Some nice prize money up for grabs but still a difference with the men's and women's in total purses. Is that something you would like to see changed in the coming years?

GEORGIA HALL: No, I think personally that they are doing a great job. The R&A, AIG, have increased the purse the last four or five years dramatically to when I won it. I won really nothing compared to what we are playing for now.

So I think as long as it just keeps improving and it shows other sponsors to kind of -- and companies to raise the bar for other events, other majors, I think we are in a great place regarding this Women's Open.

Q. Being a Major Champion, it's a huge week for yourself but when does the Solheim Cup come in your mind?

GEORGIA HALL: I think probably the day arrive at Solheim. We have really important events coming up the next couple of weeks. So I'm going to keep my mind on that.

And obviously Solheim is a very different event, different format and team-orientated and it's just a very busy week. So I'll try and like keep my energy up for that week.

Q. Feels like it's been so long since the U.S. have won, 2017. Why do you think Europe have such a good record?

GEORGIA HALL: I think like we pair together quite well. We pick our pairings quite good together, and I think that we become like a real team. I think we have just really strong players the last few Solheim Cups, and I think that's the reason why, really. We just play with like a lot of heart, so yeah.

Q. Incredible season for Nelly Korda. Worried about what she might be able to do at the Solheim Cup?

GEORGIA HALL: Not really, I think match play is a very different format. Played against her in singles two Solheims ago. Anything can happen in match play, and you just need to beat the person you're playing with; even on paper the weakest person can play the best that day. I don't think it really matters who you are playing against.

Q. This is a modern links compared to traditional links at St Andrews. What do you feel you can take most out of playing here for four days to go there next week?

GEORGIA HALL: I think it's just awesome just to play in the wind, and that's probably what we are going to get next week. That's the most that you can practise for next week.

I think it's going to be a lot firmer next week. We can put a lot more from off the green. Here, you're going to have to chip a little bit more. But just to be in the weather and elements and slow greens, as well. So I think it's a great two weeks for that.