AMATEUR golfing sensation Georgia Hall expressed her pride after being invited to play in her first professional tournament later this year.

The Dorset star will showcase her skills alongside the world’s leading players when she tees up in the opening major of the season in California.

British girls’ champion Hall is one of nine top amateurs to get the call to feature in the Kraft Nabisco Championship at Mission Hills Country Club.

The 16-year-old Remedy Oak ace is relishing the opportunity to prove her credentials in the prestigious event, which runs from April 1-7.

Hall told englandgolf.org: “It is a great honour and I can’t wait. I’m over the moon.

“It is the biggest major in the world – what a way to start! My first aim is to make the cut and also to see how other people play and what I can learn from them.

“I want to see if I’m doing anything wrong – or right.”

The Californian tournament will be Hall’s first at professional level and it will also mark her debut appearance in the USA.

She added: “I didn’t expect the invitation and it is just amazing. I have always wanted to go to America to play.”

The England international will go into the event in fine form having won two gold medals at the recent Australian Youth Olympic Festival.

Hall, who is hoping to compete at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, saw her achievements in 2012 recognised when she was shortlisted for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award.