Golfgal Golf news and commentary from a business woman’s perspective.
I wrote a post on Golf For Women last week about Paula Creamer dreaming of being #1 in the world and looking to next year to make that possible. Many would scoff at such audacity, but I am cheering her on and am thrilled to see her capture her 5th LPGA title this weekend.
Even battling flu-like symptoms this week, The Pink Panther shot a winning 66 Saturday at the Fields Open in Kapolei, Hawaii, taking down Jeong Jang with her impressive 4 birdies in the last 5 holes.
I watched the final 6 holes of yesterday’s round and was impressed by Paula’s fight to the finish. She never gave up, even when she was 2 down in the final holes.
“We had to do it,” said Creamer.“I knew that coming down the stretch, just that pressure and knowing if you want to win this golf tournament you have to make this putt. That kind of took that momentum into 17 and made that one, and then into 18.”
I was suprised to hear Paula ask her caddie in a somewhat meek voice on the 18th, while staring at a 165 hard shot over water, “Do think 6?” She seemed so unsure of herself. Then she said, “I feel pumped up.” and promptly picked her 6 iron out of her bag. From there it was all confidence as she nailed her 2nd shot landing it within 5 feet from the hole.
What a great way to finish!
Annika Sorenstam ended in 4th place, 4 strokes back. She was impressive however. After a double bogey on 10, Annika rallied back with birdies on 11, 12 and 13. I love it when a player can put the past behind them and not let it ruin their game. That’s something I definitely need to practice! It certainly doesn’t come naturally.
Michelle Wie started off well this week and made the cut at 2-under, but Saturday was a huge struggle for her with a final round of 78. It’s too bad; she started the day on a roll with a birdie on the first hole, but then she had 4 bogey’s, a double bogey and a triple on the 18th.
More Hawaii Golf?
Now, did you know that there’s a Wendy’s Champions Skins Game going on in Kaanapali? I had no idea and I consider myself quite “up” on what’s happening in golf.
Defending champions Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson won eight skins ($270,000) in alternate-shot yesterday.
They’re up against 3 other 2-man teams made up of: Arnold Palmer & Jay Haas, Fuzzy Zoeller & Peter Jacobsen and Gary Player & Loren Roberts.
The last nine holes are being played today. I wish I could watch. Perhaps they’ll broadcast it on a less busy golf weekend. I love those guys!
Golfgal
Pink Panther pips Jang
Kapolei (Hawaii)
The Straits Times
25 Feb 2008
PAULA Creamer snatched a dramatic win at the Fields Open, overcoming a two-shot deficit with three holes left to beat Korea’s Jang Jeong by a single shot. The 21-year-old, wearing a pink shirt, pink hat and pink diamante skull-and-crossbones belt… read more…
I would say we could go with the Pick Panther for Paula’s handle…hope there are not any trademark violations there. This has been a busy weekend for golf and no the Skins Game just fell threw the cracks in getting any TV coverage…so far. Just more golf than there are sponsors for…Oh well…the golf season has started.
Gotta love Paula. If she’s 1/2 as sweet and grounded as she seems, that’s saying a lot. Michelle Wie should of had her parents.
It is not hard to fathom Paula Creamer wanting to be the world number 1 sooner rather than later. For someone who just turned pro in2005 and was immediately in the top 10 with respect to ranking within a year of becoming a professional it is quite a possibility of her going on to become the top player.
She had a good outing last year finishing inside the top 20 in all the majors with her best performance coming in at the British Open. Nothing fancy but she is taking those small steps towards her eventual aim of becoming the best women’s player in the game.
But of course it will definitely not be easy for her to get to the number one spot. The current world number one Lorena Ochoa who had a phenomenal season last year, looks in good shape this year already taking a lead at the HSBC Champions and with Annika signaling her return from an injury plagued season last year with a win for her in her first event this year, there seems to be very little room for Creamer at the top.
But while the attention is on Ochoa and Sorenstam the Pink Panther could probably sneak under the Radar to the top.