Melissa Reid is Ryder Cup Wales

Rookie of the Year for 2009

FROM THE LADIES' EUROPEAN TOUR

England’s Melissa Reid, the top newcomer on the Ladies European Tour all season, has sealed the Ryder Cup Wales Rookie of the Year Award, in association with the Bill Johnson Trophy. Reid was presented with the award by her childhood idol Annika Sorenstam at the season-ending Dubai Ladies Masters at Emirates Golf Club.

With €136,606 in earnings from 15 tournaments, Reid finished the year €85,280 ahead of her nearest rival Caroline Afonso of France on the Ryder Cup Wales Rookie of the Year Order of Merit.

“I’m delighted to win this award,” said 21-year-old Reid, who earned seven top 10 finishes in her first full season as a professional.

She was second three times, at the ABN AMRO Ladies Open in Holland, the Ladies English Open and at the Nykredit Masters in Denmark and said that she rated her experience in Denmark as the highlight.

“I think playing in Denmark, the last round with Annika was pretty special, as it was her last tournament in Europe. I’m just a bit disappointed not to have finished it off but it was a great experience playing with her,” Reid said, who finished four shots ahead of the Swede at the event. “I think over the last two years, I have improved tremendously. There’s still a lot of work to do. My wedge play is pretty poor. If I could improve that I could put myself into contention a lot more than I do.

“I just want that win. I enjoy working hard and you get rewarded for it. You certainly get what you put into golf. If you really want to do this you have to understand how much you do have to work hard at it and how much of your time it does take.”

As a recipient of the rookie title, Reid will follow in the footsteps of Laura Davies (1985), Helen Alfredsson (1989), Annika Sorenstam (1993) and Suzann Pettersen (2001).

Alexandra Armas, Executive Director of the Ladies European Tour, said: “We are delighted that Melissa’s first year as a professional golfer has been so successful and we would like to congratulate her on winning this prestigious title. With three runner-up places this season, Melissa has already confirmed her great potential and we look forward to following her progress as she takes her game to the next level. This is just the start of her journey and we wish her all the very best for the future.”

Rob Holt, Chief Executive of Ryder Cup Wales, said: “Congratulations to Melissa who has been named 2008’s Ryder Cup Wales Rookie of the Year. Melissa made a real impact in her rookie year including playing well in challenging conditions at the S4C Wales Ladies Championship of Europe, at Machynys.

"It was a great year for the rookies including Wales’ own Lydia Hall who finished sixth behind Melissa, in the Rookie of the Year Order of Merit. We look forward to seeing Melissa and Lydia further develop in 2009 and welcoming all players to Royal St David’s, in Harlech, in August (6-9) for the 9th year of the Wales Ladies Championship of Europe.”

Reid will continue to compete on the Ladies European Tour next season. As well as winning her first tournament, she also hopes to qualify for Alison Nicholas’ European Solheim Cup team that will travel to the United States for the matches at Rich Harvest Farms, Illinois, in August 2009.