Georgia Hall reveals St. Andrews is “favorite place, like ever,” in strong spot early at Women’s Open

Georgia Hall fired off a 1-under 71 at St. Andrews to sit inside the Top 10 after 18 holes at the AIG Women’s Open.

Her eagle on the ninth hole closed her round with a massive momentum booster.

Regardless, Hall loves St. Andrews a lot. She voiced her passion for the Home of Golf.

“This is my favorite place, like ever,” Hall said. “I prefer here than home. I just really enjoy being here and trying to make the most of the opportunity.”

It is not the first time she played St. Andrews.

One of the last times she played the historic track was with Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods and Lee Trevino at the 150th Open Championship in the R&A’s Celebration of Champions.

“I want to try and have a place one day here for sure,” she said. “I’m actually sad every day goes by because it’s a day less I get to be here and play here. I’m not sure when the next time we’ll be here for me, and I’m not sure if I’ll be playing or not. Just really enjoying it.”

Hall won the 2018 AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, so she knows what it takes to win a major.

Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images

Her round on Thursday was a great start to her week.

She started on the back nine with two bogeys, but once she hit the front, Hall found her form. A birdie at the 1st and 5th was huge, and then for her to close out with an eagle was incredible for her confidence.

Hall is one of 14 women under par right now, as St. Andrews already has its teeth out.

“Some of the toughest conditions I’ve ever played in, for sure,” Hall said. “Thankful it wasn’t raining because I would say— you couldn’t even read the greens because you had to think about where the wind was actually going. Probably the windiest I’ve ever played in. It was a struggle, like mentally very — such a battle.”

However, Hall likes playing golf in these conditions. Since the LGPA plays a lot in America, they do not get a true links test, but this week, they do, and it goes back to why she loves St. Andrews so much.

“Hope it stays like that. I’m not sure many players would agree with me. I hardly get to play like this. This is natural, raw golf,” she said.

She was happy with the course set up on Thursday. It helped them avoid stopping play due to conditions since the R&A worried about 40 mph winds.

“I was glad we didn’t stop play,” Hall noted. “I love those conditions, whether I play bad or not. This is a true Women’s Open, and I believe that’s how it should be every day; that’s part of the battle with the weather, and I just tried to make the most out of that out there. I think the R&A is clever in letting the greens be a bit slower so the balls aren’t rolling.”

Hall should be proud of her 1-under 71 despite the leaders sitting at 4-under. She is right in the mix. It could be a big week for her as long as the former Women’s Open champ stays consistent.

She tees off Friday at 8:10 a.m. ET with Rose Zhang, who shot even par and Ayaka Furue, who was 3-over after round 1.

Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @golf_girl_sl.