Mum's the word

New mum-to-be Georgia Hall will be blessed with a fresh perspective when she returns to the scene of her greatest triumph in 2026.

The 29-year-old is expecting her first child early in the new year, and she has targeted an extra special appearance in the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes – the venue for her first major victory – in August.

Previously, memories of 2018 may well have come flooding back as soon as she sets foot inside one of the UK’s finest golf clubs.

However, far more heart-warmingly, Georgia’s newborn baby will instead be at the forefront of her mind as she plants her first tee into the ground.

“It will bring a different purpose and view on my golf as a whole,” said Georgia.

“[I've been] playing on tour for over 10 years, just [thinking about] me, quite selfishly … now, having a family … it will be nice having a son to come and watch, and to see him there.

“Obviously I've never been through any of this so hopefully if it all goes ok. I'm looking at coming back around June time, maybe late June. And obviously for me to come back and play where I won in 2018 is very special and I don’t want to miss it for a number of reasons. That's been my main focus and why I'm coming back so soon.”

Georgia’s place in AIG Women’s Open history is already secure, courtesy of her landmark triumph on the luscious Lancashire track seven years ago.

Aged just 22, it was her rookie season on the LPGA Tour but she made a mockery of her relative inexperience by birdieing the very first hole and finishing the opening round on five-under-par, just two strokes behind the leader, Minjee Lee.

The AIG Women’s Open is Georgia’s favourite event of the year, and her aptitude for links golf was evident as she didn’t drop a shot for the first 48 holes of the Championship.

The Bournemouth native was in contention throughout the weekend, among a host of world-class opponents, and she completed her third round in style to ensure star billing on the Sunday.

"On the Saturday I knew I had to birdie the last to get into the final group,” explained Georgia. “And that was really important for me. I really wanted to be in the last group and be one shot closer to the leader. My second shot, the pin was back left over the bunker and I hit an 8-iron to 6 or 7 feet and I had a left-to-right putt – which people know is not my favourite – and I holed it. So that was very important and it made me have a lot more confidence for Sunday.”

With her dad Wayne as her caddie, Georgia duelled with Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum throughout a thrilling final 18 holes, eventually getting over the line for her first major crown and what remains the biggest title of her career.

"I kind of didn't realise what it meant until maybe a year after,” said Georgia. “Even now it's obviously the biggest thing I've ever done in my career.

“Just to be part of it and have my name on the trophy for the rest of my life and even when I'm gone is very special. I think everyone just strives to do the same thing, and just to be part of the whole history of [the Championship] and women's golf is very special.”

2018 was just Georgia’s sixth appearance at the AIG Women’s Open and she has featured every year since her debut at St Andrews in 2013.

2026 will be the 50th edition of the Championship – having been first staged at Fulford in 1976 – and Georgia is delighted with the incredible rise of the AIG Women’s Open.

"It’s great to see how much it's grown over the years,” she said.

“My first one was in 2013. I remember back then and how much it's grown and changed; more media coverage, more fans and the fan interaction, and triple the prize money.

“It's great to see, especially in the UK. I know the US do great at these events and it's so nice to come here and to be part of it is very special.

“I'm not sure how it can get much better really. I think it's great for the younger generation, the boys and girls, to come and watch and see that if they want to do it one day, they can.”

If Georgia does tee it up at Royal Lytham & St Annes the new mum will be in rarefied air.

But there is at least one other golfer she can look to for advice on returning to the sport so soon after childbirth; Catriona Matthew, who won the 2009 Championship at Royal Lytham just 11 weeks after the arrival of her second child.

"Obviously I've heard a lot about Catriona Matthew [above] winning – and [at Lytham] as well which is quite funny,” said Georgia.

“It's just incredible what she achieved. It's nice that she did that because … I can think similar, like it can be done.

"I think it shows how fit Catriona was as an athlete. I'm not sure how many events she played before winning, but I guess it was one or two at the very most. I'll probably have a couple more than her, and this is my first child and that was her second.

“It is fairly similar and maybe I should reach out to her and ask if she's got any tips for me. That would be handy.”

Georgia added: "I think it's really important for anyone in their career, when they become a mother to carry on, if they want to. Carry on and try and achieve things. I've always been like that.

“I'm not really one to sit around not doing much. And also being 29 I feel like I have a lot more to give in the game of golf. Especially having the last four or five months off; it's been different but it's also been quite nice in a way just to have a bit of a break.

“It's been quite important in that aspect of life. I look forward to getting back there and competing and seeing all the girls again.”