Saudi Ladies International: Georgia Hall has one-shot lead after first lap

Georgia Hall's 65 was a women's track record -7 G Hall (Eng); -6 L Hall (Wal); -5 U Wikstrom (Fin), E Pedersen (Den); -3 L Wessberg (Swe), T Daffinrud (Nor), N Dlamini (Swz) Selected others: -2 L Davies (Scary); -1 E Young (Eng), A Hewson (Eng); Level E Givens (Eng), C Booth (Sco); +2 C Hull (Eng) Full Classification

England's Georgia Hall has a one-shot lead after the opening round of the inaugural Saudi Ladies International.

The 24-year-old posted a seven-under-par 65 at the Royal Greens Golf Club, while Lydia Hall in Wales left a blow.

The Finnish Ursula Wikstrom and Emily Pedersen from Denmark are in third place on the fifth bottom.

"I was happy with today and took advantage of the morning tee time," said Georgia Hall.

"It was quite windy on the back nine but I'm happy with my score. I'm very focused this week, it's just one day but I wanted a good start and I'll go back to the range and prepare for tomorrow. "

From the 10th, Hall hit three consecutive birdies with three more following the first nine.

Then she added another birdie and eight pars on her way to a bogey-free 65 – a women's track record.

Saudi Arabia is hosting its first professional tournaments for women this month, with a team event following the Saudi Ladies International.

The current tournament, being played in a bio-safe bubble, was set for March this year, but was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

A prize fund of $ 1 million (£ 750,000) is available for this singles tournament of the week.