Major champion and one of the pre-tournament favourites Georgia Hall took advantage of the early morning conditions, setting a course-record round of 65 (-7) to lead by one from her namesake, Lydia Hall.
Starting on the tenth, the English star raced out of the blocks with three consecutive birdies en route to a front-nine of 30 strokes before adding a further birdie and eight pars to fire a sensational bogey-free 65. Clinical all day, Hall rolled it well with the putter but made her score with precision iron play, hitting it close on two par threes for birdie and wedging close when presented with an opportunity.
“I was pleased with today and took advantage of the morning tee time. It was pretty windy on the back-nine but I’m happy with my score. I am very focused this week, It’s only day one but I wanted a good start and I will go back to the range and prepare for tomorrow.”
A second consecutive round of seven under par, following her final round in Dubai last week, Hall recently won her maiden LPGA title and arrives back to the LET full of confidence.
“I love playing on the LET, it’s my home tour and where I started my career, I always try and come back when I can, I love all the staff and I am close to a lot of the players. I enjoy catching up as best as I can, and I was happy to see Emily doing well this year. I’ve known her since I was about 12 and I texted her as soon as she won in Czech Republic and I am pleased she is back to her best.”
A few groups behind on the course and one shot on the leaderboard is another Hall, Lydia Hall from Wales. Following Georgia from the tenth and almost identical in her scoring, making birdies on the first two holes and heading out in 31 strokes, the former LET winner admitted;
“There’s definitely an advantage starting on ten this morning, there’s not much wind and it’s picking up this morning. It was nice to get out, post a score and see two Hall’s at the top.”
A welcome result after a season which has seen her make a lot of cuts but fail to capitalise on the final round, Hall continued, “I’ve made a few swing changes in lockdown and played terribly in Scotland , the worst I have played for a very long time so I re-evaluated after that and continued doing what I know, what my swing does and I managed my game. Last week I struggled with the lights and the grain but it was nice to read the putts this week and if I start them on line, they go in.”
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