Derbyshire’s Mel Reid made it two wins for England in as many events on the LPGA Tour with an emotional first victory on US soil at the ShopRite Classic.
Reid, 33, followed up the success of Georgia Hall in Portland a fortnight ago and was in tears after her impressive two-shot win over American Jennifer Kupcho at Seaview Golf Club in New Jersey.
Reid has been through so much in her career, including the death her mother in 2012, and as recently as last year, when she failed to get into the Solheim Cup, it seemed as if the six-time Ladies European Tour winner would not transfer her talent across the Atlantic when relocating to Florida. But after seeing Hall overhaul her lead in Oregon, Reid made sure this time in New Jersey, ensuring her third round lead counted by shooting a closing 67 for a 19-under total.
“It was worth the wait – 100 per cent,” said Reid, who picked up a first prize of $195,000 for her week’s work. “I really wanted to redeem myself after a few weeks ago. My dad will be in the Black Swan in Derbyshire and I can’t wait to talk to him. He might have had a few watching this and I just hope he can string a few words together!”
The proud father – who lost his wife Joy in a tragic car crash as they travelled to watch their daughter play in Germany eight years ago – would not have worried too greatly after Reid reeled off four birdies in five holes from the eighth. That gave Reid a four-stroke cushion and from then it was inevitable that this exceedingly popular character would be soaked in champagne by players and caddies alike on the 18th green.
“I made a huge sacrifice moving to America, leaving my comfort zone, my friends and my family, and it’s paid off,” added Reid. “To finally get the job done is a huge relief. No matter what, people can’t take away the fact that I’m an LPGA winner against a world class field. It just goes to show you’ve just got to keep going, and that as long as you just keep your head down and keep doing the right things, good things will happen.”
Further down the leaderboard, Hall finished tied 18th after a closing 72, Jodi Ewart Shadoff tied for 35th after a 74, while Charley Hull missed the cut after rounds of 74 and 70. All four Englishwomen will now head off to this week’s Women’s PGA Championship in Philadelphia, where Reid will be up among the favourites following her third-place finish in the event last year.