GEORGIA Hall continued her love affair with Australia as she made a stunning start to her Victorian Open campaign.

The Kinson-based star, who won two gold medals at the 2013 Youth Olympic Games in Sydney, led by three shots after the opening round at 13th Beach Golf Links in Barwon Heads.

Finishing with back-to-back birdies on the Beach Course, Hall carded a four-under-par 69 to earn a useful cushion ahead of an eight-strong contingent in joint-second place.

The former Curtis Cup star is due to tee it up on the Creek Course in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

Hall told the Australian Ladies Professional Golf website: “I love playing in Australia – it’s my favourite place to play.

“I have good memories from Sydney and I love links golf so I feel very comfortable here.

“It was quite windy but being from England, I am used to the wind. I played really solid golf and didn’t make many mistakes.”

Immediately behind Hall at the £150,000 event are England’s Alexandra Peters, France’s Alexandra Bonetti, Denmark’s Nanna Madsen and Aussie quintet Rebecca Artis, Grace Lennon, Steph Na, Jessica Speechley and Kristalle Blum.