Samantha’s Scorecard:
Hole 2 – 392 yards – par 4: bogey – chip and two putts
Hole 5 – 367 yards – par 4: birdie – nine-iron to 25 feet
Hole 6 – 157 yards – par 3: birdie – six-iron to six feet
Hole 7 – 425 yards – par 4: bogey – chip and two putts
Hole 9 – 451 yards – par 5: birdie – on the green in two and two putts
Hole 10 – 304 yards – par 4: birdie – chip to eight feet
Hole 11 – 139 yards – par 3: birdie – seven-iron to 10 feet
Hole 12 – 506 yards – par 5: birdie – nine-iron to 20 feet
Hole 13 – 180 yards – par 3: birdie – nine-wood to eight feet
Hole 14 – 362 yards – par 4: birdie – seven-iron to five feet
Hole 18 – 476 yards – par 5: birdie – bunker shot to one foot.
 |
To what do you attribute this fantastic round today?
Putting. I’ve been playing quite well all year but I haven’t holed any putts the whole year. I’ve been working with my coach the week before Ireland and in Ireland he was there as well. It is James Ridyard, who works out of The Bedford. He knows Steve Kavanagh. Steve’s golf course is where James now has a golf academy. He has been teaching me how to read putts. There’s a strategy and we’ve been working on it.
How many months were you in Florida for this year? You must be used to the warm weather.
I spent three months there at the beginning of the year so I’ve been playing in shorts and T-shirts most of the year. I have a house at Champions Gate but I’m trying to sell it if anyone wants to buy it!
You had two bogeys. How so?
I bogeyed hole seven which is a tough par four for me. I was pin high left but had to chip over the green back on and didn’t get up and down. At the second I just pushed it.
You started with five birdies in a row. How was that?
I’ve got to the stage where all year I haven’t made any birdie putts. Last week in Ireland I had three birdies in three days. I am absolutely sick of not holing putts. I had a different attitude. I just picked the line and hit it and literally it goes in. I was leaving them all short so I just hit them harder.
Did you think it could be a record?
The funny thing is I started getting nervous and then I thought, “You idiot. Why are you getting nervous? This should be a good thing.” After five I parred the next three and birdied the 18th, which was my ninth and that got me back on a roll again. I thought, “What are you doing? Why get nervous?” If you get nervous, you miss putts.
Melissa Reid (England) 67 (-6)
What was the key today?
I’m a little bit disappointed because I feel that I left three or four shots out there. I didn’t putt amazing today but it’s out there to be had. There are seven par fives and you can reach at least four of them. You can’t win it on the first day so overall I’m pretty satisfied with that.
How did you make your eagle?
I chipped in. I had a 30 yard chip shot. I just had a feeling I was going to hole it. I said to Paul, “I’ve
How much are you enjoying this tournament?
It’s just beautiful. It’s not just the course; the hotel is beautiful, the scenery around here is beautiful as well so no complaints but I think you’re going to have to go low this week.
It comes at an important time with The Solheim Cup. How important is this tournament?
Every single tournament is important. I’m trying not to think about Solheim but obviously I’d do anything to get in it. I’ve got to understand that I’ve got to get myself in. I’d prefer to play myself in than rely on a captain’s pick. I’ve also got Evian. I’d love to play Evian so this is a big week for me in a way, but I think every single week is a big week. I’m just waiting. I just want to win every single week so hopefully this week will be it.
