Georgia Hall opens first ladies' event in Saudi Arabia in style

Solheim Cup star Georgia Hall celebrated a ground-breaking day for golf in style by carding a course-record 65 on the opening day of the inaugural Aramco Saudi Ladies International.

Georgia Hall in action during the first round of Aramco Saudi Ladies International at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club. Picture: Tristan Jones

The scintillating effort at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City earned the English player a one-shot lead of Welsh namesake Lydia Hall in the first women’s professional golf event to be held in the kingdom.

Starting at the 10th, Hall opened with three straight birdies, added three more to turn in 30 before carding eight pars and a birdie coming home.

“I tried to make the most of the morning tee-time,” said the 2018 Women’s Open champion. “It was still pretty windy on my back nine but I’m very happy with my round.

“I got off to a very fast start and managed to keep the putts going in the hole, which is always a good thing.

“My pace putting was very good today, so hopefully I can bring that into tomorrow. I think it’s going to be pretty windy tomorrow afternoon, so I’ll have to play it a little ‘linksy’ I think.”

The other Hall also made her score after a morning start on the back nine, carding birdies at the 10th, 11th, 13th, 15th and 17th to turn in 31.

Denmark’s Emily Pedersen, who leads the Race to Costa Del Sol rankings, is on five-under alongside Finland’s Ursula Wikstrom.

Carly Booth fared best among a seven-strong Scottish contingent, carding a level-par 72 to sit just outside the top 20.

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