Birthday girl Mel Reid puts tragedy behind her with sparkling display for Europe at Solheim Cup

 Even the hardest American heart would surely not have begrudged the sight of Mel Reid bathed in the broadest of smiles as she celebrated her 28th birthday in style at the Solheim Cup on Saturday.

It’s not often you can put a point and a half on the board for your team by lunchtime and then go off to celebrate with a beer, surrounded by your nearest and dearest.

The Derby lass had vowed in this paper last week to create some fresh memories in Germany, on her return to the country where her mum Joy died in a head-on car collision three years ago. Goodness, how she has delivered.

‘It’s just wonderful to spend it with my family and see everyone enjoying themselves,’ she said. ‘These are new memories and it’s great to see my dad happy, and my brother and sister. It’s been an incredible week so far and as for my birthday, well I’d have to say it was right up there.’

Reid played her full part during an incredible morning for Europe, one which saw the force of nature that is Charley Hull give her very best ‘Ian Poulter at the Ryder Cup’ impression, as the home side established a four point lead.

But credit the Americans. They refused to be cowed and fought back well in the afternoon fourballs, with the potent pairing of Lexi Thompson and Christie Kerr cutting the deficit. The other three matches will be decided this Sunday morning, and all are too close to call.

Fifteen points on the line today, then. This one is not over yet.

The morning golf was spectacular by any standard you care to mention. It began for Reid and partner Carlotta Ciganda with a 5am alarm call. The previous evening they had come from three down to be all square against Kerr and Thompson and now had just the 18th to negotiate.

 Defying the lashing rain and early start, Reid struck a drive and three iron to 15ft and rolled in the putt. Amazing. Yet it says everything about gutsy 20 year old Thompson that she matched her for a wonderfully played halved match. The other one held over from the previous evening finished in similarly remarkable fashion as well, as German Sandra Gal hit a wood so pure to the 18th green it finished close enough to be conceded for a birdie.

So Europe had a two point lead and it looked like remaining that way after the morning foursomes. There were large leads in each of the matches, with Europe up in two and down in two. Then it all began to happen.

Typically, it was Hull who started it. There didn’t seem much chemistry between her and Suzann Pettersen from Norway, as they went four down after 11 to the ferociously competitive Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel.

 But they won the 12th and then went into overdrive after Hull almost holed her tee shot to the 15th. Pettersen then played a wonderful pitch to the 16th and Hull holed a birdie putt at the 17th. They were now level. At the last Hull struck a beauty to 12ft. Now Pettersen, almost unbelievably, was standing over a putt to win….and she rolled it in. They had finished with four straight birdies.

‘That was a huge steal for our team,’ said Reid, while Pettersen, who has played with all the great ones during her illustrious career, was positively awestruck. ‘Charley, gosh, what can you say? She just hits it at the pin. She’s awesome, fantastic,’ she said.

Veteran Scot Catriona Matthew and Gal made it two foursomes wins out of two and then, to complete the picture, Reid and Ciganda won their match against highly-touted pair Alison Lee and Michelle Wie by a street.

‘Can I get a beer, quick?’ said Reid, laughing.

Happy birthday indeed.