DORSET star Georgia Hall was pipped to the English Women’s Amateur Championship crown by Curtis Cup star Kelly Tidy.

Tidy birdied the first extra hole of a sudden-death play-off on her home course to win the title at Royal Birkdale yesterday.

The 20-year-old former British Ladies Open Amateur champion had forced extra holes by birding the last hole in regulation play.

In a roller-coaster 36 holes on the final day, the lead changed hands several times between Tidy and 16-year-old Hall, from Remedy Oak.

Hall had mastered the blustery conditions of the opening two days to lead Tidy by one shot at the halfway stage after rounds of 77 and 74 (one over par).

But Tidy turned the tide in the penultimate round with an impeccable four-under-par 71 for a three shot lead over Hall (75) in a two-horse race.

Both girls were four shots clear of the chasing pack going into the afternoon’s final round.

Tidy maintained the momentum in front of her home fans and remained four ahead after four holes.

But Hall chipped away at her playing partner drawing level after a two-shot swing on the 10th.

Hall pulled two shots clear after 14 holes, before a three-putt let Tidy back into the contest.

Tidy then birdied the 16th to draw level, only for Hall to regain the lead with a birdie at the penultimate hole.

And it looked as if Hall would add to her recent wins in the Roehampton Gold Cup and Hampshire Rose, when Tidy needed to two-putt from 30 yards at the last.

But the home favourite held her nerve with a superb putt that finished just inches from the hole for a birdie, and a final round 81, that took the championship into extra-time.

Hall, who carded 78 in the fourth round, told England Golf: “I’m disappointed, but Kelly produced two birdies to win and I can’t argue with that.”