BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Mel Reid didn’t come to the U.S. Women’s Open with a lot of confidence, but you wouldn’t know it watching her Thursday at Shoal Creek.
The Englishwoman had sole possession of the lead on the back nine before closing with back-to-back bogeys.
After missing six cuts in a row, she is relishing this fast start.
“I’m a bit of a leaderboard watcher,” she said. “I got to 4 under, and I thought, `Here we go.’ You just can’t switch off in a U.S. Open.”
Reid, 30, a six-time Ladies European Tour winner, has shined on some big stages at the Solheim Cup and the UL International Crown, but she hasn’t been able to show her best form since joining the LPGA last year. She has made just one cut in nine starts this year.
“Obviously, my confidence hasn’t been great,” Reid said. “Missing cuts, it’s not going to be great.”
Full-field scores from the U.S. Women’s Open
About a month ago, Reid started working with a new coach, Jorge Parada. She says she has changed just about “everything,” and that has taken some work.
“I have busted my ass hitting balls,” Reid said. “Never worked so hard. I don’t know how he’s managed to get me working so hard, but he’s managed to tap into something.”
Reid would like to make the English team that is a lock to qualify for the UL International Crown event in South Korea in October. The eight teams that qualify will be finalized on Monday, but Reid will have another month to make the English team. The individual races to make the teams ends on July 2.
Reid is No. 170 in the Rolex Women’s World Rankings. Bronte Law currently holds the fourth and final roster spot for England at No. 82. Reid will make a big move in the rankings with a strong finish this week.
“If I play as well as I feel like I’m going to in the latter part of the season, hopefully it will take care of itself,” Reid said.
Source: Internet
