Melissa Reid fires career-best 62 to open up four-shot lead in Spain
Saturday 22 April 2017 19:18, UK
Melissa Reid stormed into a four-shot lead after breaking the course record in the third round of the Estrella Damm Mediterranean Ladies Open.
Reid would have had high hopes of matching the Ladies European Tour record of an 11-under round when she rolled in her ninth birdie putt of the day at the 15th, but a bogey-six at the long 16th effectively ended that challenge.
But the English ace got the shot back at the 18th to cap a stunning 62 which lifted her to 14 under par for the tournament, four clear of compatriot Florentyna Parker, Spanish pair Carlota Ciganda and Azahara Munoz and Sweden's Anna Nordqvist, who enjoyed a hole-in-one at the 13th.
Reid defied the blustery conditions at the Club de Golf Terramar as she enjoyed a mid-round birdie blitz, making four in a row from the sixth and reeling off another four consecutive birdies from the 11th before her mistake at the 16th.
The 29-year-old capped a career-best round with a huge putt for a three on the final green, and she said: "It was tough out there. It was windy, but I'm very happy with a 62.
"Me and my caddie, Benji, were very careful with our club selection due to the wind and we did alright. We got the clubs right and put them pin high. I've got some new clubs in the bag and they've made a huge difference with my distance control, so I'm really happy about it.
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"It's obviously nice to have a four-shot lead but as you can see, there is a nine-under out there. I've got Carlota, Aza and Anna behind me. I'll try not to feel like I'm in the lead but feel like I'm chasing and try not to take my foot off the gas."
Nordqvist, who became the only woman to make a hole-in-one in Solheim Cup history in the 2013 contest in Colorado, collected an Omega watch for her superb ace at 13, where she holed a seven-iron from 164 yards.
The Swede went on to sign for a 67 to earn a share of second with Munoz (67) and Parker (66), who were both bogey-free for the day, while Ciganda had six birdies and an eagle in her 64.
Solheim Cup star Karine Icher is a further two strokes back along with Swedish rookie Jenny Haglund and Scotland's Pamela Pretswell, while English duo Felicity Johnson and Holly Clyburn go into the final round seven adrift of Reid.
Veteran Dame Laura Davies also enjoyed an excellent day as the 53-year-old recovered from a poor start with four straight birdies around the turn before completing a commendable 65 with three birdies over the last four holes.
