SAN FRANCISCO – Part of Mel Reid’s schedule that was unique to most players was who she called two days before their opening round at the US Women’s Open.
« Yes, I’m writing to Brooks. I wrote to Brooks on Tuesday. We had a long chat and then we had FaceTimet for an hour on Tuesday evening, ”Reid said Thursday after shooting 4 under 67 to lead the way at the Olympic Club.
Brooks is of course Brooks Koepka, the one four-time major champion who won the US Opens in succession in 2017 and 2018.
« He gave me a few things to pursue in a major, » Reid said, « so obviously appreciate his help. »
“No, I’m not telling you that. Good try, « Reid said with a grin that sparked laughter at the press conference.
On Thursday, Reid stepped onto her first tee without hesitation – the ninth par-4, which the USGA uses instead of the tenth tee for convenience . She pulled one in the middle, stiffened her iron shot and started her round with a stress-free bird strike.
On the next tee, the 10th par-4, Reid hooked her ball into the thick rough on the left. Rough is trouble at the Olympic Club, and most people expect a punch-out and a likely bogey, but what does Reid do? Muscle it out and turn your 10 footers into another birdie.
Reid is excited to start at the US Women’s Open
Her game plan – and whether that was Koepka’s advice or not, she didn’t say – was simple.
“You can’t bomb it all over the place. You really need to think about where your flaws are. It’s a long, long road [to the end of the tournament] and if you’re not careful this golf course can really eat you up. I just need to stay focused, ”she said.
Top performance requires physical, technical, and mental maintenance, and Reid doesn’t shy away from how hard she works in the gym. « I work a lot with my physical therapist, a lot with my trainer Ken McDonald, » she said. « We know which parts of my body are weak, we are working on it and it has paid off. »
With the Solheim Cup and the Olympic Games, Reid is playing for more than just her first major trophy this week. « I firmly believe that if you just take control of what you can control, it will take care of itself, » she said. “Yes, of course I want to play. I love to represent my country. I never dreamed that I could play in the Olympics as a golfer. I think it would be an absolute honor. ”
BY Rex Hoggard
BY Rex Hoggard
BY Rex Hoggard
Mel Reid celebrated after winning her first LPGA event last week. But the past is the past, and it’s focused on KPMG.
Mel Reid ended a strong Sunday with a 4 under 67 and a two-shot win in the ShopRite LPGA Classic for her first LPGA Tour Title.
Mel Reid shot a 7-under-65 on her 33rd birthday on Saturday and went into the finals of the Cambia Portland Classic with a double strike in front of defending champion Hannah Green.
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