Mel Reid leads Jennifer Kupcho, Jennifer Song by one in search of first LPGA win

Mel Reid leads Jennifer Kupcho, Jennifer Song by one in search of first LPGA win
Please Share

GALLOWAY, N.J. — Mel Reid gave herself another chance for her first LPGA Tour victory.

Two weeks after missing an opportunity in Portland, the 33-year-old Englishwoman shot a 5-under 66 on Saturday to take the lead into the final round of the Shoprite LPGA Classic.

In Portland, Reid closed with a 2-over 74 to tie for fifth after taking a two-stroke lead into the last day.

“Sometimes I get too quick and it kind of makes me quick on my swing,” Reid said. “So just take my time tomorrow, I think. That is basically what we kind of took away from last week. I was just rushing things a little bit and probably hitting shots I wasn’t quite comfortable with. Tomorrow I’m going to take my time a little bit more, and hopefully it makes a bit of a difference.”


Full-field scores from the ShopRite LPGA Classic


Reid eagled the par-5 ninth in a bogey-free round Saturday. She had a 15-under 198 total.

“I’m starting to get a little confidence and starting to feel like I can be one of the world’s best, so we’ll see,” Reid said “Just keep doing what I’m doing and stay humble and hopefully good things will happen.”

The three-time European Solheim Cup player has six victories on the Ladies European Tour.

Americans Jennifer Kupcho (65) and Jennifer Song (65) were tied for second.

Second-round leader Nasa Hataoka was 12 under after a 70.

Ryann O’Toole (67) and Kelly Tan (65) were at under. Brooke Henderson (65) was another stroke back.

Defending champion Lexi Thompson, winless since the June event last year, was 6 under after a 68.

The tournament is being contested over 72 holes for only the second time since it began in 1986. The additional round replaced the pro-am that was canceled because there are no spectators. The major KPMG Women’s PGA Championship is next week at Aronimink outside Philadelphia.





Source link