There’s a reason why Georgia Hall is looking at the AIG Women’s British Open trophy so longingly – and it’s not just because she desperately wants to retain the title this week.
The trophy that she took home from Royal Lytham last year was stolen from her car two months ago, when it was parked in Chiswick, west London. Thieves smashed through the tinted back windows of her car at around midday, but no CCTV footage was available to identify the culprits.
Although the original trophy is kept at The R&A in St. Andrews, hers was a replica and it’s unknown how or when it will be replaced.
“Obviously I was very upset at the time,” said the world No.30, from Dorset. “I was on my own and nothing had happened to me like that before, so I was a little bit like scared. But then, you know, luckily Michele (Mair, from IMG), their office was like 15 minutes away, so she came straightaway, and obviously you feel a bit silly having it in the car. Maybe I should have taken it out, but you know, some things happen like this in life and you just get on with it, I suppose.”
That incident will be far from her mind when she tees off as the defending champion in the company of Brooke Henderson and Mamiko Higa at 12.16pm on Thursday and she is looking forward to being announced on the tee.
Last year, Hall walked nine holes with BBC TV presenter and former European Tour professional Ken Brown, who is known for his lively ‘Ken on the Course’ features, ahead of the championship and she has walked another nine around the Marquess Course at Woburn, which will give her a unique insight into the course.
However, the man walking by her side throughout the championship, as her caddie, will once again be her dad, Wayne, who also caddied last year and the previous year when she finished third at Kingsbarns.
“He caddied in ANA (Inspiration), which was the first major of the year. He’s always on the bag at the British Open, so it’s very nice for him to be back and to have my mum here,” said Hall, who is also joined by boyfriend, Harry.
However, she couldn’t confirm whether or not her dad will wear the same lucky socks as last year at Royal Lytham: “I doubt it. They’re probably in the bin, I don’t know. I don’t want to ask him, either!”
She has her own superstitions and is trying to treat the event this week like any other.
“I haven’t played the course at all this year because the last time it was here three or four years ago, I practised quite a bit and I didn’t do very well, so I’m going to take the same approach as last year and just play it the week of the tournament.”
Now, she’s just excited to get going. “ I’ve done the hard travelling and now I can enjoy being at home with a home crowd. It’s really nice and I think I’m going to get a lot of support, so I look forward to seeing people out there watching me and cheering me on.”
