To suggest life was not always this way for Georgia Hall is something of an understatement. The 22-year-old from Bournemouth began Monday with a string of national breakfast-show appearances and $490,000 (almost £380,000) due to clear in the bank. She is suddenly, rightly, a major figure in British female sport after her victory in the women’s Open on Sunday.

Hall’s dedication to her game came, by her admission, at the expense of parts of her childhood; there were no holidays between the ages of six and 21. “I didn’t really spend time with friends, I was just practising,” she said. Life was golf, golf was life. There were, though, economic realities. Lack of finance also meant a reduction of opportunities.

“I missed three majors as an amateur that I qualified for but I didn’t get to go to,” Hall said. “So that was a bit frustrating. But I always tell myself that, if my golf’s good enough, it can take me anywhere regardless of how much money I have, and then I just kept going.”

Kept going? Hall’s route to the top has been rocket-fuelled. She has become the first player in history to win the British Girls, British Amateur and Women’s British Open titles. Her father, Wayne, a golf-mad former plasterer was on caddie duty as she delivered not only her finest moment but also the fifth major win by a British woman.

“I used to get more nervous when she was younger, watching her playing in amateur events or when she was playing for England,” Wayne said during British Open week. “Now whatever happens happens. I know what she can do and will always support her, as any father would. I’m just very proud of her.”

The feeling is mutual. “It was amazing to have him caddie for me and be there with me when I won,” Hall said. “He’s helped me growing up, helped me with my golf and helped me as a person, so it’s very special to have him there, and also my mum and boyfriend as well.

“I think [in] pressure situations he has helped me because he’s caddied for me as an amateur as well and I’ve won some good events. Just saying the right things at the right time; he’s probably more nervous than I am but somehow he is keeping me not really nervous as well.”

Wayne used to juggle caddie appearances with work – as he still does – to fund his daughter’s ambitions. Last year she led the European Tour’s money list with earnings of close to £400,000. Her third place at the Women’s British Open was key to that, after which Hall struck up a friendship with the former Open champion Tom Lehman, who provided encouragement before her final-day tussle with Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum.

Resource: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/20...win-sacrifices