MELISSA SPREADEAGLES FIELD WITH A 63

HELEN HOLM REPORT AT 5PM 

Defending champion Melissa Reid from Derby played the round of her 19-year-old life to score a 12-under-par 63 and go six strokes clear of the field with one round to go in the Helen Holm Scottish women's open amateur stroke-play golf championship at Troon today (Saturday).

Melissa, from Chevin Golf Club and a Curtis Cup player last year, had a hole in one with a seven-iron at the 156yd 16^th plus two eagle 3s, at the sixth and 12^th, and seven birdies, at the second, third, fourth, ninth, 10^th, 15^th and 18^th in halves of 33 (five under par) and 30 (seven under par).

"I learned from the mistakes I made in my first-round 70. That's basically why I was able to improve by seven shots," said Melissa.

"My dad and I worked out a game plan on Friday night for the second round and, even though there was a much stronger wind, it worked like a dream.

"Yes, I believe I am a better all-round player than when I won the 'Helen Holm' last year but I think the biggest improvement I have made is in my mental approach. I'm going out there and thinking positive, not defensively."

Melissa's 63, which included only 28 putts, slashed two shots off the new record set only 24 hours earlier by England team-mate Rachel Bell from Ganton, Yorkshire.

Her figures were:

OUT – 5 4 3 2 4 3 4 4 4  - 33.

   IN – 2 5 3 4 3 4 1 4 4 - 30

With a 36-hole tally of a staggering 17-under-par 133 after two rounds over Troon Portland, Miss Reid carries a six-shot lead over Rachel and the rest into the final round over Royal Troon's championship links which are likely to be a different kettle of finish, even although Melissa is playing "out of her skin" at the moment.

Rachel Bell "sagged" by nine shots to a second-round 74 – still one under par.

"I had a couple of three putts and didn't get the breaks I did in the 65 but six shots to make up is not impossible. I was eight shots behind last year after two rounds  and then had a 71 over Royal Troon and finished third behind Melissa, so I'm looking forward to the last round," said Rachel.

Scotland has provided the winner only twice in the last 15 years. Leading home hope is Jenna Wilson from Strathaven. She has had rounds of 70 and 73 for 143.