NORWEGIAN star Suzann Pettersen – Georgia Hall's golfing idol – has tipped the Dorset ace to be Europe's secret weapon in August's Solheim Cup.

A two-time Major winner and former world number two, Pettersen is widely regarded as one of the most talented players this continent has produced.

And the 36-year-old LPGA Tour regular not only believes Hall has the potential to shock when Europe aim to regain the crown from the United States at Des Moines Golf and Country Club in Iowa, but also feels the Wimborne-based player can win a Major.

Pettersen, who played alongside Hall at April's Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocco, has watched the meteoric rise of the former Oakmead College pupil with interest.

And with Hall currently top of the Ladies' European Tour's Solheim Cup rankings and seemingly on course to book her spot on the plane, Pettersen has tipped the ambitious youngster to impress.

Pettersen told the Daily Echo: "Georgia will do great on our team. I think she can surprise a lot of people.

"She has a solid game. Her long game is strong and she is a good ball striker.

"She's got all the talent she needs. There are no shortcuts in this game and she just needs to continue to put the work in.

"Whether she goes on to win a Major is all up to her. Hard work pays off. If she has the will, she will succeed."

Pettersen has played in no fewer than eight Solheim Cups for Europe since 2002, helping to earn her continent victory on three occasions.

Only the legendary Laura Davies has made more appearances in the prestigious match play competition for a European team, with Pettersen proving a key points contributor over the years.

The former Evian Championship winner did court controversy in the 2015 iteration, when she enforced a 17th-green penalty on rookie Alison Lee, who had wrongly picked up a short putt in the belief a concession had been granted.

Pettersen and partner Charley Hull went on to claim a point and although the former exhibited no regret in the immediate aftermath of a 14.5-13.5 foursomes success for the United States, she later issued a fulsome apology.

Reflecting on Pettersen's praise, Hall said: "It's nice to hear comments like that, especially from someone like Suzann."

The ex-Canford Kid is today due to fly across the Atlantic to begin a three-week road trip. She is set to make her debut in the Women's PGA Championship – alongside Pettersen – in Chicago, Illinois on Thursday and will then contest a qualifier to reach the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic in Oneida, Wisconsin.

The following week, Hall will play in the US Women's Open having qualified by virtue of her lofty finish in last year's LET order of merit.

Also due to feature in August's British Open, Hall added: "I've only played in three LET events this year and all of a sudden I have three Majors and the Scottish Open so it's a big two months for me.

"There are five or six massive events – some of the biggest of the year."