DORSET’S Georgia Hall maintained her explosive start to 2017 after claiming a share of fourth place at the Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocco.

The Wimborne-based star rocketed up the leaderboard after carding a final-round 66 at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam – one of her lowest scores since she turned pro.

Hall, who has won more than 250,000 euro since joining the paid ranks three years ago, celebrated her 21st birthday on the eve of the tournament.

She fired one-under-par 71s in her first two rounds, playing alongside Denmark’s Suzann Pettersen, her golfing idol, who was leading heading into the final day.

And although Hall slipped off the pace after carding a four-over 76 in her third round, she came back with a vengeance, her 66 equalled only by eventual winner Klara Spilkova from Czech Republic, who finished one shot ahead of Pettersen.

Hall, who banked 18,225 euro after recording her 12th top-10 finish, tied with England’s Felicity Johnson, the pair four shots behind Spilkova, who claimed her maiden LET victory.

Hall opened 2017 by finishing tied third at the World Ladies Championship in China in March, winning 32,685 euro. She also continues to lead the Solheim Cup points table.

She said: "Today was the only day that I played good golf. The first three rounds of the tournament, I played terribly and managed some half decent scores. Today my head was switched on and I played really good golf, so I’m happy with today.

"I was trying to get a top-five. Today I played faultless golf, apart from one three-putt.

"The first nine holes on the first day I was a bit nervous playing with my idol but then I got into it and focused on my own game. She is a great player and I really enjoyed playing with her, but the last two days and especially today, was a great day."

Brokenhurst Manor’s Liz Young tied 36th after finishing six over in Morocco.