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Mel Reid has revealed her determination to make this year’s Solheim Cup team and, in turn, keep a tipsy promise she made to European captain Catriona Matthew.
English ace Reid has played in the match on three occasions but failed to qualify for the side that contested the most recent edition at Gleneagles in 2019.
Such is her influence on the European side, the 33-year-old was picked to be one of Matthew’s assistants for the win in Scotland.
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However, appearing on the latest episode of The bunkered Podcast, the world No.31 – who won her maiden LPGA title last year – outlined her motivation to swap a walkie-talkie for her clubs at Inverness Golf Club in Ohio.
“I texted Catriona the day after the last Solheim,” said Reid. “It was the morning after the Sunday night celebrations so, admittedly, I was probably a little bit hungover or possibly still a little bit drunk going to the airport, but I said something like, ‘I’m not going to make that decision hard for you next year, I’m going to be in it.’ She was like, ‘I’m glad to hear it.’
“Luckily, I’ve backed it up slightly but I was like, ‘Why have I just sent that?’
“I just love the Solheim. I would love to play with ‘Beany’ [Matthew] as my captain. She’s been a friend of mine for many years, she’s a great girl and I just think she did an unbelievable job at Gleneagles.
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“I live for the Solheim every two years. It’s literally my favourite week.”
In a wide-ranging chat, Reid also spoke of her excitement at her recent engagement to her partner, Carly Grenfell.
Reid came out as gay in 2018 and, looking back, admits that she’s proud of how she handled that announcement.