AMATEUR ace Georgia Hall set her sights on being in contention to claim a shock win in the Ricoh Women’s British Open following a near-flawless opening round.

The 17-year-old fired a stunning four-under 68 at St Andrews, leaving her tied ninth and just two shots behind leader Morgan Pressel.

Hall upstaged illustrious playing partners Laura Davies and So Yeon Ryu – both Major winners – by carding four birdies and just one bogey on the famous Old Course.

Bournemouth-born Hall, a Remedy Oak member, earned exemption to the prestigious event after being crowned British Amateur Championship in June.

And although she would be unable to share in the $2.75million prize fund, Hall is hoping to maintain her challenge when she starts her second round at 6.41am tomorrow.

She told the Daily Echo: “I really enjoyed myself and four-under was a good start. I am confident but I know there are three rounds left and there is a lot of work to be done.

“I never go into any tournament thinking I can’t win it. You can lose it on the first day and I didn’t. I am only two shots behind the leader and am looking forward to the next three days. If I am on my game, I know I could have a chance of winning. I’ve got an early start so let’s see what tomorrow brings.”

Hall made a dream start by carding birdies on the second and third to reach the turn in two-under 34 before repeating the feat on the back nine for a 68.

And despite her blemish at the par-four 12th where she paid for a wayward tee shot, Hall hit back with birdies at the 17th, the famous Road Hole, and the short but tricky 18th.

The halfway cut will fall after today’s second round and Hall will also be hoping to be in contention to win the Smyth Salver Medal, the prize for the leading amateur. She added: “It helps relax you when you birdie two of the opening three holes.

“My best birdie was on 17 where I hit a rescue club out of the rough to about three feet and holed the putt. The 18th is quite a short hole but the green is tricky. I had a seven-footer downhill, left to right and they are the hardest putts you can have but I holed it. The leading amateur would be a great prize to win and, hopefully, I can shoot another good round.”