England’s Georgia Hall went all out to rectify a blip on her record on Saturday.
The English golfer agonisingly missed out on claiming her seventh Ladies European Tour title in the 2020 Aramco Saudi Ladies International.
She failed to get her hands on the trophy when Denmark’s Emily Kristine Pedersen birdied the first extra hole of a play-off after the pair could not be separated over 72 holes on the tough fairways at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City by the Red Sea.
This time around it looks like a canter for Hall, as she can almost do no wrong.
The English star has two Solheim Cups to her name, along with her major at the 2018 Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
Now she holds a colossal five-stroke lead going into the final round just outside Jeddah Saudi after her five birdies offset one bogey on Saturday took her to 10-under, five clear of Solheim Cup teammate Anna Nordqvist.
The Swede is one ahead of compatriot Johanna Gustavsson and Dubai based Czech Kristyna Napoleaova, who signed for a disappointing 74.
“That was probably the best long game performance I've had so far. I was pretty steady out there, not a lot went wrong. I could have holed a few more putts but it was a decent day," said Hall.
“Obviously, I've played well here before, but every tournament I go out to win regardless of my past on it. So, yeah, just go out there, and until the last putt drops, keep focusing.”
Another Dubai youngster, German Chiara Noja — who made her name at the Dubai Moonlight Classic before turning professional last year at 15 — is tied seventh alongside
South African Nicole Garcia, Spain star Carlota Ciganda, England’s Cloe Frankish and 2020 champ Pedersen.
Noja shot a three-under par 69 in the $1 million, thanks to two eagles and a birdie.
“This is the first time I have holed out for an eagle from the fairway in my career,” she said. "My best finish on the LET is tied 26th. I am very comfortable around these conditions in the Middle East - the weather, the temperatures, the courses, the facilities and everything else, one of the perks of living in Dubai. I love the golf course here in King Abdullah Economic City. Being so close to the sea, there is just more wind than I am used to.”
