DORSET’S Georgia Hall remained firmly in contention for a first major following an eventful third round at the Ricoh British Women’s Open at Kingsbarns.

The 21-year-old signed for an incident-packed two-under-par 70 and shares second place with Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn on 11-under heading into the final day.

Wimborne-based Hall, the 2013 British Amateur champion, was left to rue a costly finish to her round after dropping three shots in the final three holes.

She encountered trouble at the par-four 16th where her tee shot found gorse and her second a bunker, although she recovered superbly to card just a bogey.

However, worse was to follow on the next where, despite an excellent drive, she four-putted for a double-bogey six.

Despite the disappointing finish, Hall, who is set to be named in the European team for the Solheim Cup, had earlier carded five birdies and an eagle to maintain her challenge.

Her exploits saw her keep pace with playing partner In-Kyung Kim, although the 29-year-old South Korean will take a six-shot lead into the final round.

Hall moved to three-under for the day and 12-under for the tournament after picking up birdies at the first and seventh – and an eagle two at the par-four fifth where she drove the green.

And although she bogeyed the third and ninth, three birdies in succession at the 13th, 14th and 15th left her just two shots behind Kim before she hit trouble at 16 and 17.

Hall, who shared the silver medal with Lydia Ko at the 2013 Women’s British Open, will play alongside seven-time major winner and former world number one Inbee Park in the penultimate group tomorrow.

The total prize fund for the tournament is an eye-watering £2,573,442 – with the winner banking a cheque for £387,996 and the runner-up pocketing £248,804. Third place receives £180,489.