GEORGIA Hall narrowly missed out on her maiden Ladies’ European Tour title after Beth Allen’s late charge denied the Dorset star victory in Abu Dhabi.
But the 20-year-old was still able to record her best finish on tour to date thanks to a second-placed effort and an 18 under par score at the 490,000 euro Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies’ Open.
The Wimborne-based player, who carded a women's course record of 64 earlier in the week, finished three shots behind American Allen.
Hall earned more than 44,000 euro for securing runner-up spot, by far the biggest payday of her professional career.
She said: "I felt really sick last night. I couldn't get to sleep and then I felt sick at breakfast this morning.
"But as soon as I got here and started practising, I was fine, so I don't know whether it was something I ate or nerves.
"In the last few holes I got a bit nervous because I didn't know where I was (on the leaderboard).
"I played well every round and putted really well. I probably could have got more out of the first round, that was maybe where I lost it.
"But second place is a great achievement. I've had good finishes the past few competitions so I can't be too disappointed."
Hall had held a one-shot overnight lead over Australia’s Sarah Kemp, with two-time LET winner Allen and England’s Melissa Reid one further back.
However, it swiftly turned into a head-to-head battle between Hall and Allen, the pair giving no quarter on the fairways of Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.
A couple of early gains saw America’s Allen tie for the lead, only for a birdie two on six from the Dorset star to regain her outright top spot.
The pair matched each other with birdies at eight and nine but Allen – in the penultimate group out, ahead of Hall – went on to repeat the feat at 10 and 11 to take a one-shot lead.
Former Oakmead College pupil Hall was enjoying a hot streak of her own and a fourth birdie in six holes at the 11th allowed the former Curtis Cup star to claw level.
The youngster edged in front after Allen let a shot slip at the 13th, Hall sitting on 19 under after a birdie-bogey combination at 13 and 14, respectively.
But a late flurry from Allen, which comprised gains at the 15th, 16th and 17th, allowed her to take a three-shot lead, helped by a further Hall bogey on 16.
Hall added: "I played a really good front nine and got to five under but then made a bogey due to a bad mistake.
"On the second bogey, I didn't hit a bad shot, I was just trying to carry the bunker and hit my drive slightly low so it plugged straight into it and came down.
"Without them, I think I could have caught Beth, although I had no idea what score she was on until I hit my second shot on 18."
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