The Golden Bachelor star Carol Freeman-Branstine is explaining the reason behind her decision to leave Mel Owens' season early. "It was a tough decision, it really was," Carol, 63, exclusively told Us Weekly at the Golden Bachelor Gal's Brunch on Thursday, October 16. "I never really been the one that leaves, so it was a new beginning for me." During the Wednesday, October 15, episode of the reality TV dating show, Carol told Mel, 66, that she planned to go home in the middle of a group date because their relationship hadn't progressed enough to justify staying.