Mel Reid wins the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open
England’s Mel Reid lead from start to finish to claim her fifth Ladies European Tour title at the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open.
The 27-year-old fired rounds of 65, 69, 74 and 73 at Carya Golf Club in Belek, Antalya, for a total of 11 under par and a four stroke win over Frenchwoman Gwladys Nocera.
Reid teed up on the Carya course without a practice round and dominated the tournament from the first round with a career best eight under par.
“When you win you want to win properly and to lead every single day has been nice. I’ve not been in that position before, so to win in that way does make it extra special,” said Reid.
Reid’s last victory came at the Prague Golf Masters in 2012, which she won a month after the tragic loss of her mother, Joy, and her success in Turkey completed a difficult emotional journey for the popular and talented player.
Sort out your set up with Mel Reid
“I’ve got a fantastic team around me which I can’t give enough credit to and I’ve been working with Kevin Craggs.
“He’s been amazing and a massive influence not just on my career but on my life. It’s been a difficult journey and it’s not one I want to go through again but it makes the win even sweeter and I’ve stepped it up a bit and it’s just the beginning really.”
Nocera almost pulled out of the tournament with an ankle injury sustained during a photoshoot a month ago, but played through pain and in heavy strapping as she finished solo second on seven under par.
“If you would have told me I could finish second before the week I would have signed for it,” she said.
“This shows me what I have and even when I’m not 100 per cent I can still play well, so I think that’s another thing I’ve learned and it was great. I’ve hit the ball really well, not as long off the tee, but I managed to stay on the dance floor, so that was the main thing.”
The first golf tournament on any major golf tour to finish on a Wednesday was hailed as a great success by fans, sponsors and media around the globe who supported the LET’s #LETwednesday campaign.
The move was designed to attract wider television audiences by moving women’s professional golf into a new space within world sport.
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James Savage
Former equipment editor of NCG. Inconsistent ball-striker and tea-maker.
