DOW GREAT LAKES BAY INVITATIONAL

July 15, 2021

Mel Reid

Carlota Ciganda

Midland Country Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Here with Carlota and Mel, Reidy 2 Fiesta as we learned yesterday. Take me through the second day here. Carlota, let's start with you.

CARLOTA CIGANDA: It was a great round, 7-under. I think Mel played some amazing golf today. I didn't help much, but I think that's why we are such a good team. I think when one is off, the other one is right there, so I think that's what makes us a great team.

I don't think the conditions were as easy. Usually four-ball you expect a lot of birdies. I think it was quite tricky. The wind was swirly and it was playing tough. The course is soft, as well. I think it rained during the night, so I think we are very happy where we are at and excited for the next two days.

THE MODERATOR: Mel, a couple birdies on the card for you today. What is it about this course that brings out some good game in you this week?

MEL REID: I mean, we were -- obviously our chemistry is great. We've played lots together. We've shared most weeks together in airbnb's, and I think that kind of shines through in our play. E.

Honestly we were kind of saying we're both playing a little bit of a C game. Like we're kind of excited for the weekend and hopefully to make that into a B or an A game. Yeah, to be in the position that we are kind of the way that both of us aren't probably on top of our game is actually quite a nice feeling.

But that's why I think the chemistry is so -- it comes through more than the golf at times like this. I don't care if she hits a bad shot. She doesn't care if I hit a bad shot. So there's no pressure.

So you're always kind of trying to fight for each other, and that's what makes it fun. Like she said, we're in great position going into the weekend.

THE MODERATOR: Did you realize that the last birdie got you guys into the lead?

MEL REID: Yeah, she, told me to birdie the last, so I do whatever she tells me. We knew we wanted to get 10. We said, Let's try and get a couple in the last three.

Yeah, I mean, 10 I think is a pretty decent score considering the conditions. It was tough today. It was really windy. Greens are very soft. You're spinning them all the time with wedges. Even 8-irons you're kind of spinning them back.

So, yeah, it's not as easy as it has been a couple years ago. Yeah, I mean, 10-under I think is a pretty respectable score.

Q. Mel is a natural leader. She might not say that, but she is. How do you let her be that when you're out with her?

CARLOTA CIGANDA: I think we feel so comfortable that I can be myself, she can be herself, and that's what we do when we play together. She's playing great. She's putting amazing, and I think -- I love how comfortable she is on the golf course when she's working, everything.

So I just try to follow, and, yeah, I think we are a great team, and that's what we tried to do, just be ourselves, play golf and have fun.

Q. How nice is it with having the full buildouts now? I think Dow has got like 5,000 or 6,000 people out here. What's it like having the crowds back?

CARLOTA CIGANDA: I think it's great. I think we needed that. I think it's great for golf, great for women's golf, great for the spectators to be here.

I think we missed them. They missed us. I think it's so nice that they can be watching golf and following, and I think we like it. We feel more motivated. We want to hit those good shots for them, as well. I think it's great that the crowds are back.

Q. Mel, you feed off the crowds so you've got to love this.

MEL REID: Yeah, we were saying yesterday like actually we have been delayed from fans compared to the PGA TOUR, and so it's actually really nice. It's great for Dow. This is such a good event. I feel like in this area as well everybody comes out and supports us.

We're so grateful that we can have fans back. That's what I would say a hundred percent of the players want is having fans back and having some sort of atmosphere.

We really missed it during this whole pandemic, so it's just really nice to see some people out there. Like Chiggy said, you want to hit good shots in front of them, show off a bit. We're all kind of performers in our own way, and yeah, it's nice to actually hear some noise out there.

Q. You two are close in age; how long have you known each other?

MEL REID: I think I was like 14 and ^ Chiggy, what, 12? She was better than me, so I was about 14. But yeah, we were always kind of close growing up because she was like European No. 1 and I was basically trying to catch up with her. But she always --

CARLOTA CIGANDA: We played a lot in Europe. We played all the European team championships. We played the Junior Solheim Cup. We've been playing a lot together since we were amateurs. Yeah, I think 12, 13 years --

MEL REID: We used to have fun the last nights of tournaments. I used to get her in trouble, which I'm sure people are very shocked by that.

But yeah, we've known each other nearly 20 years, which is kind of crazy when you think about it.

Q. Who's the more aggressive player between the two of you?

MEL REID: I would say Chig.

CARLOTA CIGANDA: I think both.

MEL REID: Okay, both. But I would say Chig. I have a lot of confidence in Chig. We're both pretty aggressive. I think when one is in trouble you probably play a little bit more defensive.

But yeah, we're both pretty -- we want to make as many birdies as possible, so I'd say we're both pretty aggressive.

Q. What's the origin of Chiggy?

CARLOTA CIGANDA: Chiggy, so I lived in college with Guilia Molinaro and she's Italian, so my last name is Ciganda, she started calling me Chiganda, so from Chiganda to Chiggy. Now I'm everything Chig, Chiggy. That's what it was.

Q. How do you two lean on your experience playing in the Solheim together versus how your games have evolved since you've both played a team format event together?

MEL REID: Honestly I think because, like I said earlier, I really don't -- and I really mean this -- I really don't care when she hits a bad shot. In fact, I actually quite enjoy it, because, one, it makes me feel human. Like I think she's a great player. I think she's one of the best players in the world, or she is one of the best players in the world, so it makes me feel a bit better when I do it.

And also I find it quite fun. If she hits it in the trees I quite like seeing that shot. I think that's what makes us a pretty good team and a strong chemistry. We're obviously good friends off the golf course, which helps. We have a good time. We're friends with our caddies. I really don't feel much pressure out there when I'm playing with her. I have absolute confidence in her, and I hope she feels the same way.

And there's no expectation there. We're just out there having fun. And yeah, it's just nice to be alongside someone who's such a great player.

CARLOTA CIGANDA: I think the key is we feel ourselves. I can be Carlota, she can be Mel, and we just play and we have no issues, no pressure. We just hit it, find it, hit it again, and at the end of the day we have a score. We are happy, we go back to the house, have a great time, and then the next day we just have a great time on and off the golf course.

I think we don't have to force anything. It just happens. It's always great fun playing with Mel.

Q. What do you guys do for fun when you go back to the house off the course?

MEL REID: Give Giulia sh---. We're staying with Guilia Molinaro as well, so we like to give her s---. We gang up on her a little bit. That's basically what we do.

Q. I want to know what Mel did to get you in trouble back in --

MEL REID: You're always try and do me one over. You always want the secrets.

Q. Give me one fun story.

MEL REID: I used to try and get her absolutely wasted and she doesn't drink, so I used to make her do shots and just basically embarrass her. What else do you expect from me?

Q. Did she succeed, Carlota?

MEL REID: A couple times. I got her a bit drunk a couple times.

CARLOTA CIGANDA: She always wins. I just follow.