GEORGIA Hall’s first round at the World Ladies’ Championship in China was stunted by torrential thunderstorms.

Play was delayed by nearly three hours as rain lashed down on the Olazabal Course at Mission Hills and although the downpour eventually relented, play was suspended at 6.15pm due to darkness.

The 19-year-old managed to complete just 10 holes at the first time of asking and having started in solid fashion, suffered a disappointing run.

Teeing off at the 10th, the Bournemouth star sunk six straight pars before dropping shots at her seventh and ninth holes, with an expensive double bogey straight after seeing her slip further back to four-over-par.

Hall is due to complete her first round in the early hours of tomorrow morning (GMT).

Ji Han Sol coped best with the difficult conditions as she took a one-shot lead.

The South Korean carded a four-under-par 68 with compatriots Ji Hyun Oh and Ye-Na Chung and France’s Anne-Lise Caudal one shot back.

Hall headed into the £571,000 tournament on the back of an impressive start to the year which included a win at the Victorian Open – her second professional triumph – and a top-10 finish at the Australian Open.