Evian Championship: Mel Reid two off early leader Paula Creamer
Thursday 25 July 2019 21:39, UK
Mel Reid fired a final-hole eagle to get within two strokes of the lead after the opening round of the Evian Championship.
The Englishwoman posted a five-under 66 in hot and humid conditions at Evian Resort Golf Club in Southern France to stay in touch with early leader Paul Creamer.
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Creamer set the clubhouse target by making seven birdies in a bogey-free 64, giving the 2010 US Women's Open champion a one-shot cushion over Inbee Park, Jin Young Ko, Brittany Altomare and Mi Hyang Lee.
"I feel really just in control," Creamer said. "It's been several years where I felt like just all-in-all good in my shoes."
Reid, looking for a strong week to bolster her hopes of a wildcard pick for Europe's Solheim Cup side, mixed three birdies with as many bogeys on her way to reaching the turn level-par.
The 31-year-old moved up the leaderboard with birdies at the 12th, 15th and 17th, before holing out from a bunker at the par-five last to sit tied-sixth with Augusta National Women's Amateur winner Jennifer Kupcho.
"To shoot a great score you have to have a couple of lucky breaks and I had one or two," Reid said. "My ball-striking was good and I hit 15 greens, so overall I was very, very happy to shoot 66.
Charley Hull is in the group four off the lead after a blemish-free 68, while Women's British Open champion Georgia Hall and fellow Englishwoman Meghan MacLaren both sit on two under.
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Watch the Evian Championship throughout the week live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues on Friday from 10am on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Mix.
