A GOLF star was given just 10 seconds of air time at the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year awards despite becoming the first Women's British Open in a decade.

Georgia Hall, 22, from Bournemouth, wasn't invited to speak and looked unimpressed as Gary Lineker told her it was "lovely" to see her at the ceremony.

The broadcaster seemingly glossed over her win with a short clip of the moment she became the first English woman to top a major in 14 years at the 2018 championships.

Meanwhile, the England football squad got a lengthier tribute, featuring a marching band and a performance of Three Lions, for reaching this year's World Cup semi-finals.

It's sparked outrage among her admirers - with many saying she should have made it to the shortlist for her incredible achievement.

The shortlist, unveiled on the night, included Harry Kane, Dina Asher-Smith, Lewis Hamilton, James Anderson, Lizzy Yarnold and the eventual winner, Geraint Thomas.

Many came out in support of Hall, including BBC's own golf correspondent Iain Carter and golfer Tommy Fleetwood.

Carter tweeted: "Can’t believe @Georgiahall96 not nominated for SPOTY. Well I can but a British winner of the men’s Open would surely have made the list wouldn’t they?"

Fleetwood said: "Always a very inspiring night #SPOTY and grateful to have the chance to sit amongst so many sporting and life heroes.

"Very worthy winner @geraintThomas86 ! However, @Georgiahall96 gets 10 seconds of airtime for her incredible achievements ??"

The broadcaster's sports presenter Dan Walker complained that "golf just never seems to break through" at the awards.

When Carter pointed out that Italian golfer Francesco Molinari was named World Sport Star of the Year at the ceremony, Walker responded: "He was the standout candidate in that and all his fellow golfers threw their weight behind him."

Catriona Matthew, who won the British Women’s Open in 2009, said: “I thought it was disappointing that Georgia didn’t get more time.

“If a British player had won Wimbledon she would have been on the shortlist, and this was the golf equivalent.

“Women’s golf doesn’t get the same exposure as men’s golf and it’s not a sport that is on the BBC any more, so perhaps that played a part.”

An independent panel chose the shortlist with a 50:50 gender balance and it was kept secret until the awards night to counter organised voting.