A WEEK ago, Georgia Hall was an unknown hopeful dreaming of golf’s biggest prizes but on Saturday she could leave Gleneagles with two as she aims to add European gold to the British Open.

The Bournemouth putter became the first home golfer in nine years to win the British Open on Sunday but the celebrations are firmly on hold until after the European Gold Team Championships this week.

The 22-year-old is the talk of the town and if she can back up her win at Royal Lytham & St Annes with Great Britain’s first ever European golf gold then she will join playing partner Dame Laura Davies at the top of the game.

The pair got off to the perfect start, beating Spain’s Noemi Jimenez and Silvia Banon in the four-ball match-play to kick off the women’s team competition.

Being a major winner certainly has its privileges, like playing alongside 85-time tour winner Davies, and being introduced as the champion golfer.

“You will never get used to that,” she said.

“It was the first time I heard that, so it was lovely. And then for Laura to be US Senior Open champion was amazing.

“It’s been a crazy few days but Tuesday was a lot quieter so I liked that. Things have started to settle down a bit and I have just been looking forward to this week and playing with Laura – she is such a legend.

“It has been hard to come off that massive high but I love playing golf and playing in team events so I am just looking forward to it all.”

Hall could have been forgiven for being a little rusty after the highs of Sunday but Davies credited her with a key role in their 5&4 win.

Hall sunk key putts on the fifth and seventh, with a birdie at the former putting them one up. A total of nine-under for the duo was impressive and sets them up nicely for their two other round robin matches against Germany and Belgium.

“It was great fun, Laura and I had a laugh on the way round and I love match play and team events so I am very happy to get a win,” Hall added.

“It was more tranquil but I liked that. It was quiet and allowed me to just focus on the golf, it is a new week and that’s the only way I can approach it.

“We were having fun, it was nice.”

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