Women’s British Open: Georgia Hall leads amateur charge

Just six weeks on from winning the British Amateur Georgia Hall birdied the last two holes of the Old Course for a four-under 68.

Playing with Laura Davies, who was round in 72, and the 2011 US Open champion So Yeon Ryu (69) the 17-year-old dropped just one shot after adopting an attacking strategy.

“I hit the driver a lot, on most holes there are three options off the tee and one of them is the driver. I went a bit braver today and attacked a few pins and only had one bogey.

“The 17th tee shot is horrible, you think don’t block it so you hit it left and you have 16 and 17 in the back of your mind during the round. The 17th is like most holes, if you get the tee shot right you should be OK.”

This was just Hall’s third round over the Old Course and, not surprisingly, was her favourite experience to date.

“It was amazing and Laura Davies was really nice. I’m normally the quickest in the group and have never played with anyone quicker than me but she was.

“That was the most fun round I’ve ever played and to play with Laura, who has done everything in the game, made it special. I birdied two of the first three so relaxed early on and then finished really well.”

“That was the most fun round I’ve ever played and to play with Laura made it special" – Georgia Hall
With a 68 in the bag the teenager will now follow the same routine as previous evenings.

“I’ll go for a walk around the town with my dad and will keep doing that as I’m quite superstitious. Last night we had some chips and had a look at the 18th. You can see why it’s such a special place, the 1st and 18th are the best holes.”

And what would represent a good week?

“To win it, I’m serious (laughs). I wouldn’t play in any competition if I didn’t think I could win it. Obviously to make the cut and have a top 10 would be brilliant but I want to win.”

Hall was joined in red figures by two other amateurs – Lydia Ko (69) and Amy Boulden (70) – while France’s Celine Boutier was level, Gabriella Cowley plus three and Sarah-Jane Boyd was five over.