GEORGIA Hall revealed how she was not ready to give up her Women’s British Open trophy and insisted: “I’m not going to let anyone take it away from me.”
The Wimborne professional put her name in lights last summer when she became the first Englishwoman for 14 years to lift the major championship title at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
Hall sealed a sublime two-shot victory over Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum – in a titanic battle which turned into a final-group showdown.
And with her Open defence set to begin at Woburn on Thursday, Hall admitted she would not be relinquishing the trophy without a fight.
She told the Mail Online: "I’m going into it with the focus that this is my trophy and I’m not going to let anyone take it away from me.
“I kept it under the bed for three months, because I was travelling so much and I didn’t want it on show. That’s not good, is it? I did let my mum and dad look after it as well, if that helps.
“I love the Open. You have a different feeling each time you play in one and obviously this is going to be a special occasion for me.
“If I’m in contention, I’ll have that confidence of knowing that in the biggest major for me I can hit the right shot at the right time.”
Hall has endured a difficult 2019 to date, recording just one top-10.
Ranked 30th in the world, her best finish in a major this season has been tied-26th at the Women’s PGA Championship.
‘I got my schedule wrong at the start of the season,” said the former Canford Kid.
“You look at all the strong tournaments, you’re a major champion and you want to play, but I took on too many.
“It can be hard as well when you like living in Britain. I’m grateful for the opportunities that America offers, but I’m a home bird at heart.”
Hall’s regular caddy, boyfriend Harry Tyrrell, was alongside her at last week’s Evian Championship.
But the 23-year-old had dad Wayne on the bag when she secured her major triumph last August.
The former Oakmead College pupil revealed how Wayne did not change his socks for four days as a superstition throughout the event.
Asked who would caddy for her this week, Hall replied: “Oh, it will be my dad.
“That would be a really bad thing if I didn’t ask him.”
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