DORSET’S Georgia Hall was left to rue a disappointing finish as she was pipped for the leading amateur prize at the Ricoh Women’s British Open at St Andrews today.

Hall, who saw her name at the top of the leaderboard during her second round on Friday, was on course to claim the Smyth Salver Medal as she retained a two-shot advantage over Lydia Ko with just three holes remaining.

But with Ko watching on from the clubhouse, having finished at six-over, Hall proceeded to bogey 16 and 17 – the famous Road Hole on the Old Course – before closing with a par four on 18 for a final round 77.

And although her four-round total of 294 matched Ko, the New Zealander was crowned leading amateur by virtue of carding a lower total on the final day (74).

The pair, two of only three non-professionals to make the cut, finished a creditable tied 42nd with Bournemouth-born Hall, 17, gaining some valuable experience in only her second Major.

Hall had been forced to complete the final 13 holes of her third round and play her fourth today after play had been abandoned early testerday due to high winds at the famous Scottish course.

Meanwhile, Dorset’s Sophie Keech won her second national title of the year when she registered a five-shot victory in the English girls’ open championship at Oake Manor, Somerset.

The 17-year-old from Parkstone, who is already the English schools’ champion, finished the 72-hole event on level par with rounds of 70, 68, 73 and 73.