Georgia Hall shot 1 under par and 71 strokes at St. Andrews, putting her in the top 10 after 18 holes of the AIG Women’s Open.

Her eagle on the ninth hole ended her round with a huge momentum boost.

Despite this, Hall loves St. Andrews very much. She spoke about her passion for the home of golf.

“This is my favorite place, as always,” Hall said. “I prefer being here to being home. I’m just really enjoying being here and trying to make the most of the opportunity.”

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

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

“I definitely want to try to have a spot here one day,” she said. “Actually, I’m sad every day that goes by because it’s one less day that I can be here and play. I’m not sure when we’ll be here next for me, and I’m not sure if I’ll play or not. I’m just really enjoying it.”

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

Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images

Your round on Thursday was a great start to the week.

She started the back nine with two bogeys, but once she reached the front, Hall found her form again. A birdie on the 1st and 5th holes was great, and then to finish with an eagle was incredible for her confidence.

Hall is currently one of 14 women under par as St. Andrews has already cut its teeth.

“They were definitely the toughest conditions I’ve ever played in,” Hall said. “I’m thankful it didn’t rain because I would say – you couldn’t even read the greens because you had to think about where the wind was blowing. Probably the windiest conditions I’ve ever played in. It was a battle, very mentally demanding – such a battle.”

Hall, however, enjoys playing golf in these conditions. With the LGPA playing a lot in America, she doesn’t get a true links test, but this week it is, and that’s again why she loves St Andrews so much.

“I hope it stays that way. I’m not sure many players would agree with me. I can hardly play like that. This is natural, pure golf,” she said.

She was pleased with the course set up on Thursday, which allowed them to avoid having to stop play due to weather conditions, with the R&A concerned about 40mph winds.

“I was glad we didn’t stop play,” Hall noted. “I love these conditions whether I’m playing badly or not. This is a real Women’s Open and I think that’s how it should be every day; that’s part of battling with the weather and I just tried to make the best of it. I think the R&A are clever in making the greens a little slower so the balls don’t roll.”

Hall can be proud of her 1-under 71, even though the leaders are at 4 under par. She’s right in the thick of it. It could be a big week for her as long as the former Women’s Open champion stays consistent.

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

Savannah Leigh Richardson is the golf editor at SB Nations Playing Through. For more golf coverage, follow us @_Playthrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @golf_girl_sl.