The reigning Women’s British Open champion Georgia Hall made a dream Solheim Cup debut two years ago at Des Moines in Iowa, following on from an appearance for the PING Junior Solheim Cup team in Colorado. In this interview, from the LET magazine, Golf Chic, she reflects on the experience and talks about what it would mean to play her first home match in Scotland on September 13-15.
What is your first ever memory from The Solheim Cup?
I remember watching a couple of Solheim Cups but the first time I played as a rookie was my first real taste of it.
What are your best memories from The Solheim Cup?
Probably holing both of the putts to win our foursomes match when I played with Anna Nordqvist and a good match with Paula Creamer.
What’s the best thing about representing Team Europe?
You get to represent your country and play for a captain as a team. It’s really rare that we get to do that and it’s nice to be in a team environment, to try and beat the Americans.
What’s your role and/or nickname in the team room?
I can be a joker, sometimes, but people call me G. That’s my nickname.
What would it mean to qualify to play under Catriona Matthew?
It would be very special. She is a fantastic player and for it to be in Scotland and with her being Scottish, I think it will fit together really well. It will be amazing to play at home because the only time I’ve played was in America.
What would it mean to be part of a winning team on home soil, at Gleneagles?
It would be very special and it would be very special to have that winning feeling with the team. I think we will have a lot of fans coming to watch so it will be nice to have them experience that with us.
Which team do you think will win the Solheim Cup this year and why? What do you predict for the winning score?
I think Europe is going to win. I think it will be fairly close, but anything can happen. Hopefully we win by a few points.
Whom would you most like to face in the singles and why?
Cristie Kerr, because she is the mentally toughest player on the team, an incredibly good putter and great in match play, so it would feel incredible to beat her.
What did you learn or experience when playing in the PING Junior Solheim Cup and how did it motivate you?
It was great to be in a team atmosphere and the set-up is very similar to the real Solheim Cup. We got to meet all the players before we teed off so it was a great experience for all the amateurs to play in the event.
What did you think of the PGA Centenary course when you played there in the European Championships. Does it favour the Europeans or the Americans and why?
When I went to play on the PGA Centenary Course I expected it to be a links layout but I would say it is quite an American style golf course, unfortunately for us, as it is quite wide and long, with big greens. The greens were in excellent condition when I played there, so I expect they will be immaculate for the event. It will probably even out because I think the course maybe favours the Americans but with the home support we will probably just have the advantage.
