Mel Reid's Return To Golf Channel Met With High Praise Following Analysis Of Nelly Korda Disaster-Hole At US Women's Open
The English professional golfer received widespread praise for her analysis of Nelly Korda's 10 at Lancaster Country Club in a live Golf Channel segment after round one
Johnson Wagner has set a high bar when it comes to entertaining post-round segments on Golf Channel this year - be it trips into the trees to explain a key ruling, attempting to reproduce the clutch shot at a Major championship, or analysing the aftermath of a controversial drive.
But Mel Reid proved she is more than capable of matching her associate after a fascinating breakdown of the most talked-about moment from US Women's Open first round on Thursday.
The English professional golfer - who switches between the LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour - did not qualify for the second Major of the season so instead took up a role as an analyst for NBC Sports again.
And on Reid's first day back on Golf Channel broadcasts following her debut at the same event in 2023, the World No. 228 revisited the site of Nelly Korda's extraordinary 10 at Lancaster Country Club - the par-3 12th.
Earlier in the day, on what turned out to be by far the most difficult hole on the course, the World No.1 scored a 10 after dunking three golf balls into the water which guards the front of the steep downhill 161-yard hole.
Mel Reid (@melreidgolf) breaks down the tough par 3 12th at Lancaster, where bogey or worse was a common result Thursday at the @USWomensOpen. 🔎📺: Golf Central Live From the #USWomensOpen pic.twitter.com/O1OCPmLapfMay 31, 2024
So, Reid left the 'Golf Channel Live From' booth alongside host Kira K. Dixon and fellow analyst Brandel Chamblee to show what happened in more detail and explain to the viewing public the various complexities of dealing with that particular hole.
Reid's four-minute cameo featured her opinion on the 12th hole, a couple of throws of a golf ball to illustrate Korda's fourth, sixth, and eighth shots a few hours prior, and a helpful packet of data which proved just how tough the site was playing overall.
Get the top Black Friday deals right in your inbox: Sign up now!
The hottest deals and product recommendations during deals season straight to your inbox plus all the best game-changing tips, in-depth features and the latest news and insights around the game.
The response to said video - shared by Golf Channel on social media - was unanimously positive, with PGA Tour golfer Michael Kim first commenting that "Mel Reid is a natural" before noting that the hole's 3.8 average score on Thursday was "wild."
Renowned writer and analyst Matthew Dowd said: "what a fantastic job on this. Brava Mel Reid" while Big Randy from No Laying Up said: "Awesome segment. @melreidgolf is a big asset to the set, and I couldn’t agree with her more that No. 12 is a fabulous USWO par-3."
Meanwhile, several fans suggested the English pro-turned-analyst should be signed up on a permanent contract by a major broadcaster the moment Reid opts to give up her playing career.
One X user said: "if you haven’t signed @melreidgolf to every golf broadcast you possibly can what are we doing here... masterclass." Another said: "I like her. She should do men's events as well."
Hole 12…..She’s a beauty but played like a beast today. Enjoyed breaking this one down for you guys. See you all for round 2 tomorrow on @GolfChannel 🍿 https://t.co/Ise62FjnqpMay 31, 2024
Reid did suggest she would move into the media during a particularly difficult moment in 2022, when an injury affected her enjoyment of the game.
Speaking midway through the 2023 Women's PGA Championship, Reid revealed that she "legit quit" professional golf and was looking for a job in broadcasting before returning to her old job and rediscovering her love of competing.
Last June, she said: "I legit quit. When I got my injury, I tried to play through it, which I kind of felt I had to because I was losing my card, and then, yeah, we don't get money being on a medical...
"So yeah, in September I literally told Carly [Reid's wife], I'm going into media, like I'm going to be one of you guys, I'm not playing golf anymore. Then took a couple of months. I worked pretty much every day with Duncan, so massive credit to him.
"With things like that, if you just give me a bit of space I do kind of work it out myself. I was just playing golf at home when I was kind of feeling fit, just with the boys at Atlantic Beach, and I just was enjoying it again.
"I was just enjoying -- I missed the competitiveness of it, and I thought right, okay, let's give it one more go. I've just been really enjoying myself this year."
Reid confirmed she would be returning for round two of the 2024 US Women's Open, where she is expected to produce more in-depth analysis should another key moment require her expertise.
Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. During his time with Golf Monthly, Jonny has interviewed several stars of the game, including Robert MacIntyre, Ian Poulter, and Lee Westwood. An improving golfer himself, Jonny enjoys learning as much about the game as he can and is hoping to reach his Handicap goal of 18 at some stage. He attended both the 150th and 151st Open Championships and dreams of attending The Masters one day.
-
Quiz! Can You Name Every Player In The 2023 Ryder Cup?
There were 24 golfers involved. How many members of the two teams can you name?
By Roderick Easdale Published
-
Quiz! Can You Name Every Player In The 2024 Solheim Cup?
There were 24 golfers involved. How many members of the two teams can you name?
By Roderick Easdale Published
-
CME Group Boss Slams LPGA Tour Decision Not To Show Live Third Round Coverage Of Event
The third round of the LPGA Tour's final event of the season, the CME Group Tour Championship, will be shown on a tape delay - which has angered the CME Group CEO
By Michael Weston Published
-
Lydia Ko And Angel Yin Involved In Separate Rules Incidents At CME Group Tour Championship
The wind at the CME Group Tour Championship was causing havoc on Friday, with both Lydia Ko and Angel Yin involved in separate rules incidents
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Nelly Korda Claims LPGA Awards Double After Seven-Win Season
Nelly Korda was handed the two top prizes at the LPGA Awards after a seven-win season including her second Major
By Paul Higham Published
-
LPGA Tour Announces 2025 Schedule
The 2025 LPGA Tour season will have two new events including a visit to Mexico, while the biennial International Crown returns
By Mike Hall Published
-
Anyone From Nelly Korda To 60th-Place Carlota Ciganda Can Win The Biggest Check In Women's Golf History This Week - Here's Why
The LPGA Tour season culminates in the CME Globe Tour Championship at Tiburon Golf Club this week - and an $11 million total prize purse is on the line
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Lexi Thompson Says She ‘May Tee It Up A Few Times Next Year’ As She Prepares To Retire From Full-Time Professional Golf
The American has revealed she might play a limited schedule next year as she prepares for life beyond a full-time professional schedule
By Mike Hall Published
-
'I Just Think It Really Drags The Game Down' - LPGA Tour Stars Weigh In On Slow Play Debate
Nelly Korda is one of the players who has given her thoughts on the issue of slow play on the LPGA Tour after Charley Hull suggested a brutal idea to kill the issue
By Mike Hall Published
-
CME Group Tour Championship Prize Money Payout 2024
Nelly Korda heads the field as players compete for one of the largest purses in the history of the women’s game
By Mike Hall Published