Mel Reid stole the show at the opening round of the U.S. Women’s Open. She wasn’t in the field, but the English pro was the break in the clouds at Lancaster Country Club, which witnessed a bloodbath on the greens. 

Reid, who came on as an analyst at NBC Sports for the U.S. Women’s Open, left the booth to reach the greens at par-4, 12th. “I think she is an absolute beauty, but she plays like a beast,” Reid described the 12th on the opening round. 

Her analysis of the 12th standing on the greens featured some tricks from the sleeves of her colleague, Johnson Wagner. Similar to Wagner’s recreation of Rory McIlroy’s drop-gate at THE PLAYERS, Reid threw the ball to explain Nelly Korda’s 4th, 6th, and 8th shots at the 12th, where she carded a 10. 

Aside from the quirky stats—52 golf balls landed on the creek—the British pro also showed why the relatively short par-3 has been so punishing. The English International explained that even a slightly misjudged putt can land straight in the water because of the fast greens. Reid said the false front, where Korda tried to bounce her ball, was “sharp, it’s quick, and you have to be so precise to this.”

Her analysis drew a unanimous verdict from fans: hire her full-time. PGA Tour Pro Michael S. Kim thought Mel Reid was a ‘natural’. But the 36-year-old, like the newly-minted broadcaster, Kevin Kisner, doesn’t have plans to hang up her clubs just yet. 

The one-time LPGA Tour winner last played at the Mizuho Americas Open, where she missed the cut. Reid wasn’t qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open, which opened the doors for the NBC role. So, Mel Reid hasn’t quit golf yet. But she was in half a mind to do so after a particularly horrid stretch of golf.

Mel Reid was looking for a job in broadcasting

Two years ago, Mel Reid was at the lowest point of her LPGA career. The British golfer failed to break into the top 20 in any of the tournaments. Reid later recounted, “In September, I literally told Carly (Reid’s wife), ‘I’m going into the media, like I’m going to be one of you guys; I’m not playing golf anymore.” 

Her partner, Carly, talked her out of it then. But the NBC role shows Mel Reid has the chops. Notably, Reid, who was featured in LPGA’s official handle celebrating Pride Month, showed her skills a year ago as well. 

Mic’d up at the 2023 Lotte Classic, the four-time Solheim Cupper explained her strategy very minutely. That also offered an engaging insight into the course as well. Undoubtedly, Mel Reid will be an excellent addition to NBC’s roster of analysts. But she won’t be a regular as of now.