The recent Oates Vic Open champion Melissa Reid is back on the Ladies European Tour this week for the inaugural Estrella Damm Mediterranean Ladies Open at Club de Golf Terramar in Sitges, Spain.
Reid, pictured third from right at the welcome reception, alongside her 2015 Solheim Cup team mates Azahara Muñoz, Carlota Ciganda, Anna Nordqvist, Gwladys Nocera and Karine Icher, believes that a seventh LET title is possible, despite suffering from a back injury since her win in Australia in February.
“It’s obviously a great field with the likes of Anna, Karine, Carlota and Aza, so that is really positive for the first event, with a really strong field. I’m here to win but I’m not really expecting anything at the same time, because of everything that has happened recently. I played nine holes yesterday and I think it’s going to be a bit of a birdie fest. I think close to 20-under will win this,” she said.
Expanding on her recent back injury, she added: “I had to pull out of Phoenix. I probably shouldn’t have played the Kia or ANA, but I felt like I needed to really for my rankings. It was definitely not anywhere near 100 per cent. I’ve had just over a week off after that, so I feel refreshed going into this tournament. I’ve been working on a few things now that my back is pretty close to being okay.
“Because of my back injury, I’ve had to be careful but I’ve worked really, really hard with my physios and Helen, my trainer. They have been in close contact with my coach, Kev, because with having time off I’ve had to get inventive with my practise to keep my feel with things. It may have done me some good because I was going at 100 miles per hour at the start of the year.”
It’s a big year for the 29-year-old from Derbyshire, with The Solheim Cup in prospect and she recently made the decision to try some new golf clubs. She explained: “I’ve just put them in the bag this week. I think I’m going to change to Callaway, because I feel like they are the best clubs on the market at the moment. I’ve got the Epic driver in the bag and I very rarely change clubs. Before that I’ve had my TaylorMade M2 in my bag for two years. I only had it fitted properly on Friday at Archerfield Links in Scotland. I’ve got new irons in the bag this week. I used my Epic 3-wood in America but I have all new wedges, driver and irons, so we’ll see. I’m trying to put to it to the test.”
