Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009 – What is most important to LPGA player Paula Creamer? The answer is tournament wins. Not majors, not money. Love, marriage and children are important goals for her future, but right now the young LPGA star just wants to win.
“Majors are what everyone always talks about, but there are other events that are actually harder to win,” said Creamer. “I try to win every event I play and I figure it will all sort itself out in the end.”
Creamer, 22, will tee it up at the HSBC Women’s Champions March 5-8, 2009 at the Tanah Merah Country Club in Singapore. Creamer is currently ranked third in the world and is 18th on the LPGA Career Money list with more than $5.8 million in earnings. She tied for 15th at the season-opening SBC Open at Turtle Bay in Hawaii.
“I am somewhat disappointed in my results in Hawaii,” Creamer said. “I played well enough to win but had trouble on and around the greens. I actually led the tournament in both fairways hit and also greens in regulation. If I continue to strike the ball well I will do very well because I know the putts will drop. I am very pleased with the work I did this off season on my swing and am seeing the benefits already.”
Last year at the 2008 HSBC Women’s Champions, Creamer finished third, 13 strokes behind winner Lorena Ochoa, who shot a 66-65-69-68=268 (-20) to win by 11 shots over Annika Sorenstam. Creamer was tied for second with Sorenstam entering the final round.
“I really enjoyed playing in the HSBC Women’s World Championships last year in Singapore,” said Creamer. “The event was extremely well run, hospitality first class, the golf course was in great shape, and the fans were fantastic. I guess that really means I
liked it very much and therefore am back and going to improve on my finish from last year. I really liked the course and that should give me a confidence boost this year. Lorena won by a wide margin because she was the only player in the field to shoot in the 60’s more than once and she did it all four days. ”
Creamer finished a successful 2008 season with four wins, bringing her career total to eight. She became the fastest player in LPGA history to cross both the $4 million mark in career earnings at the SBS Open at Turtle Bay (77 events; 2 years, 11 months, 22 days), where she tied for 12th; and the $5 million mark in career earnings at the U.S. Women’s Open (90 events; 3 years, 4 months, 5 days) where she tied for sixth. Creamer carded 10 additional top-10 finishes and posted a career-low 60 in the first round of the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic Presented by Kroger, which was a tournament record.
As for long-term goals, golf won’t always be Creamer’s priority.
“I have many (long-term goals), but at the top of the list is to fall in love, get married, raise children and have my family all live a happy, healthy life.”
Creamer knows first-hand the importance of family. She credits her mom and dad for helping with her success.
“I know I would not be where I am without all of them doing their parts,” said Creamer. “I am very grateful for that. I guess my dad has had the most influence on my career and is the central figure in my support group. He started me in the game and has always been there for me and knows my game better than anyone. He has helped me learn to compete, influenced my decisions and showed me the importance of integrity and sportsmanship. He has also let me grow and develop my game and creativity at my own pace. My mom keeps everything together and makes sure I still have time to have a life outside of golf and is a great role model for me. ”
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