Georgia Hall is making her Major comeback this week following the birth of her son Conor in February of this year. The English star was the last winner of the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes when she won by two strokes in 2018. Returning to the scene of her triumph, Hall feels
Georgia Hall is making her Major comeback this week following the birth of her son Conor in February of this year.
The English star was the last winner of the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes when she won by two strokes in 2018.
Returning to the scene of her triumph, Hall feels confident heading to a venue she knows so well.
“It was really cool to drive in on Monday,” said Hall. “It gave me goosebumps. It was such a nice feeling to be back here, and a happy atmosphere seeing all the spectators already today. I’m really excited for this week, so hopefully be a good week.
“It brings me a lot of confidence coming back here, and even playing in the practice rounds I see the shots I hit in certain positions. I remember every pin position, so that was really good.
“My body is improving every month definitely and I’m playing pretty decent, but I think it’s more having a card in your hand and being in those pressure situations and getting used to that again. This event is obviously one of the reasons I play golf. This is just the highlight of my year.
“I just remember everyone standing up on the grandstands and cheering my name and then obviously walking down there with a three-shot lead made it a bit more enjoyable. I had a bit less pressure on me, but for it to be in England as well was extra special, and to have that support.
“It was my rookie year then on the LPGA, so it was a highlight of my career. You don’t really realise the impact it has on you until months after. That’s the advice I would give to myself if I won again.”
Hall has played several Ladies European Tour (LET) events as preparation for teeing it up in the final Major championship of the year.
She continued: “I first picked up a club six weeks after giving birth. I was in Ireland and went to a local driving range. I was really excited because I didn’t know how I was going to hit it and thought I might top it or something.
“I actually hit it pretty good, but my rotation, there was no rotation at all. I went there for an hour and I was pleasantly surprised. I was leaving that thinking, okay let’s see if I can get back to Lytham. I enjoyed the progress coming back. I think majority of it was rehab, working on my pelvic floor, gym, cardio etc.
“I just spoke to Beany [Catriona Matthew] and I said I really don’t know how you did it. You couldn’t dream of doing that. I couldn’t. She said it’s lot easier with the second [child]. It’s just amazing. She’s such a role model to look up to as well and gives great advice. Obviously, such a great player and captain as well, it’s nice to see her here this week.”
Hall always had the AIG Women’s Open as the event she wanted to play during her postpartum journey and she has already made memories that will last a lifetime.
She added: “This event, I didn’t want to miss this event wherever it was, but especially Lytham. I didn’t know whether it would come back here if I would have retired down the line in ten years.
“Eight years ago is quite a long time. My parents are here and my other half’s dad is here, so we have a lot of help with Conor, which is great. It’s a very busy week for me, so it’s nice to know that he’s well looked after.
“I had a picture with him on 18 and that will definitely be my screen saver. To have my whole life there with Paul. It’s lovely. It’s a shame he’s not a bit older, but I’m really grateful that I made it back here and everything went well enough in the birth to allow me to play.”
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MAJOR DEBUTANTS EXCITED TO GET GOING AT 2026 AIG WOMEN’S OPEN
There are five players from the Ladies European Tour (LET) and LET Access Series (LETAS) making their Major debuts at this week’s AIG Women’s Open.
Italy’s Anna Zanusso, England’s Bel Wardle, Australia’s Justice Bosio, Thailand’s Aunchisa Utama and France’s Vanessa Bouvet will all be playing in a Major championship for the first time.
A field of 144 players representing 30 countries will be competing for a $10 million USD prize fund at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
Zanusso played her way into this week after securing a spot through the 2026 LET Order of Merit.
“I’m so excited at everything, it’s so great this week. I want to enjoy it as much as possible and I’m so grateful to be here and I can’t wait to tee off on Thursday,” said the Italian.
“There are lots of fairway bunkers, so a good strategy and some good tee shots will be needed to get to a solid place to go for certain pins. I will try to take advantage of the par-5s on the front nine, there are some longer holes coming back. I’m going to be patient; they’re long days with lots of wind.
“I have been playing well this year, so of course I have some sort of expectation. I just want to enjoy it; I don’t care how it’s going to go. I put a lot of work this week to prepare and all the work I’ve been doing during the year I hope it works as well during this week.”
Read the full story on the LET website here.
POPOV RETURNS TO AIG WOMEN’S OPEN TEN WEEKS AFTER WELCOMING SECOND CHILD
Sophia Popov is returning to action at the AIG Women’s Open just 10 weeks after the birth of her son Julian.
The final Major of the year will always hold special memories for the German star, who won the tournament in 2020 at Royal Troon.
Popov is at Royal Lytham & St Annes just two weeks after picking up a golf club again and is joined by her mum and Julian with her husband Max at home with three-year-old daughter Maya.
“I wouldn’t be here if things hadn’t gone a little bit smoother than with Maya,” said Popov. “When you have a toddler on the side, you don’t even notice your pregnancy. Then the delivery, thank God bless him, was a lot easier.
“He knew he had to give me a break, so it was a lot quicker! The recovery has also been easier because I know what to expect. I talked to Beany yesterday and she said the second one is easier. You just put him anywhere and he’s happy and you’re more relaxed.
“Maya is excited. It was really tough to say bye to her for seven days, but she’s getting seven days of full attention from Dad and I think she’s craving that. Everywhere we go, Julian is the focus and I try to balance that, but with breastfeeding him it’s difficult. She’s been very sweet.”
Read the full story on the LET website here.
HEWSON HONOURED TO BE HITTING FIRST TEE SHOT AT 2026 AIG WOMEN’S OPEN
Alice Hewson has an early wake up on Thursday morning, but it’s all for good reason as she will be hitting the opening tee shot at the 2026 AIG Women’s Open.
The English star, who lives just 20 miles away from Royal Lytham & St Annes, will be teeing it up at 6.30 am (local time) alongside American Amanda Doherty and Wales’ Chloe Williams.
Hewson is making her eighth appearance in the championship, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and has a best finish of T16 at the 2023 edition.
The three-time LET winner is honoured to be hitting the opening tee shot in such a prestigious year and will be supported by her parents in the final Major of the year.
“It’s a massive honour,” she said. “My home Open and I get to hit the opening tee shot. I actually only live about 20 miles from here as well, so an absolutely massive honour.”
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