Paula Creamer

Paula Creamer (born August 5, 1986), nicknamed the "Pink Panther", is an American professional golfer who plays on the U.S.-based Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour. In her four seasons as a professional, she has won 10 tournaments, including eight LPGA Tour events. Creamer has been as high as No. 2 in the Women's World Golf Rankings, and as of October 6, 2008 is the No. 3 female golfer in the world.

Born and raised in California, Creamer won numerous junior golf titles; among them were 11 American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) tournaments. Creamer joined the LPGA Tour for the 2005 season, and her victory in that year's Sybase Classic made her the LPGA's second-youngest event winner. After her first professional win, she earned three more titles in 2005, including two in Japan, and was named LPGA Rookie of the Year. Following a winless 2006 season, Creamer won twice in 2007 and has four wins in 2008.

Amateur career

Creamer started playing golf when she was 10 years old.cite journal
last = Herrington
first = Ryan
title = She's One Pink Panther
journal = Golf World
date = 2004-11-26
url = http://web.archive.org/web/20041208101926/http://www.golfdigest.com/newsandtour/index.ssf?/newsandtour/gw20041126creamer.html
accessdate = 2008-07-02 ] At the age of 12, she won 13 consecutive regional junior events in Northern California, and the following year she became the top-ranked female junior golfer in the state.cite journal
last = White
first = Dana
title = Leader of the Pack
journal = Golf for Women
date = March/April 2006
url = http://www.golfforwomen.com/players/featured/2006/03/creamer_article_0306?printable=true
accessdate = 2008-06-23 ]

During Creamer's amateur career, she won 19 national tournaments, including 11 American Junior Golf Association events,cite web
title = AJGA Girls Record Book
publisher = American Junior Golf Association
url = http://www.ajga.org/Rankings/Records/Girls.asp
accessdate = 2008-03-09 ] and was named Player of the Year by the AJGA in 2003. On two occasions (2002 and 2003), Creamer played on the United States team in the Junior Solheim Cup. She was a semi-finalist in the 2003 U.S. Girls' Junior Championship and U.S. Women's Amateur Championship, and reached the same stage of both events the following year.cite web
title = Player Biography: Paula Creamer
publisher = United States Golf Association
url = http://www.uswomensopen.com/2007/players/bios/132.html
accessdate = 2008-09-27 ] In June 2004, Creamer placed second in the LPGA Tour's ShopRite LPGA Classic, finishing one stroke behind Cristie Kerr. Later that year, she tied for 13th in the U.S. Women's Open and represented the United States in the Curtis Cup.cite news
last = Spousta
first = Tom
title = Creamer the latest teen dreamer of stardom
work = USA Today
date = 2004-12-14
url = http://www.usatoday.com/sports/golf/lpga/2004-12-13-creamer-focus_x.htm
accessdate = 2008-09-16 ]

In December 2004, Creamer won the LPGA Tour Final Qualifying Tournament by five strokes, thus gaining membership on the Tour for the 2005 season.cite web
title = Creamer Medalist at LPGA Q-School
publisher = The Golf Channel
date = 2004-12-05
url = http://www.thegolfchannel.com/core.aspx?page=15100&select=15028
accessdate = 2008-04-02 ] She turned professional immediately after the event at the age of 18.cite web
title = Paula Creamer Full Career Bio
publisher = LPGA
url = http://www.lpga.com/content/2008PlayerBiosPDF/Creamer-08.pdf
accessdate = 2008-04-02 ]

Professional career

2005–2007

Upon joining the LPGA Tour in 2005, Creamer quickly became a top player. On May 22, she holed a 17-foot birdie putt on the final hole of the Sybase Classic in New Rochelle, New York to win by one stroke.cite web
title = Creamer becomes 2nd-youngest LPGA winner
publisher = NBC Sports
date = 2005-05-23
url = http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/7944716
accessdate = 2008-04-02 ] Creamer became the youngest winner of a multiple-round tournament in LPGA history.cite web
title = Creamer clinches 2005 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year award
publisher = LPGA
date = 2005
url = http://www.lpga.com/content_1.aspx?pid=4613&mid=2
accessdate = 2007-08-20] (Marlene Hagge won twice at a younger age than Creamer. Both wins came in 18-hole events.) On July 23, she claimed her second title of the year, winning the Evian Masters tournament in France by an eight-shot margin.cite web
title = Creamer cruises to French title
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2005-07-23
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/golf/4710941.stm
accessdate = 2008-04-02 ] She became the youngest and quickest player to reach $1 million in LPGA career earnings.cite web
title = All Time Records
publisher = LPGA
url = http://www.lpga.com/content/Alltimerecords.pdf
accessdate = 2007-08-20] In August Creamer won the NEC Open on the Japan LPGA tour,cite web
title = Creamer tops home favorite at NEC Karuizawa
publisher = ESPN
date = 2005-08-14
url = http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=2133915
accessdate = 2008-04-02 ] and added a victory at the Masters GC Ladies tournament two months later.cite web
title = Creamer captures event on Japan tour
publisher = ESPN
date = 2005-10-23
url = http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=2201537
accessdate = 2008-04-02 ] Creamer earned a spot on the U.S. Solheim Cup Team, becoming the youngest player to do so.cite web
last = Cutler
first = Bethan
title = Lopez announces 2005 U.S. Solheim Cup Team
publisher = Ladies European Tour
date = 2005-08-28
url = http://www.ladieseuropeantour.com/content/let_content_news.php?Id=3896
accessdate = 2007-08-20] She helped the U.S. team win the cup, going 3–1–1 for the competition. Creamer won the LPGA Rookie of the Year award for her season, in which she earned over $1.5 million, second on the money list behind Annika Sörenstam, and recorded eight top-three finishes.cite web
title = 2005 Player Performance Record
publisher = LPGA
url = http://lpga.com/greensheet.aspx?pid=3438&year=2005
accessdate = 2008-04-03 ]

After her strong first-year performance, Creamer was second behind Sörenstam in the inaugural Women's World Golf Rankings, which were released on February 20, 2006.cite news
last = Spousta
first = Tom
title = Annika leads as Creamer, Wie give chase in world rankings
work = USA Today
date = 2006-02-21
url = http://www.usatoday.com/sports/golf/lpga/2006-02-20-lpga-world-rankings_x.htm
accessdate = 2008-04-02 ] Her 2006 season, however, was not as successful. She did not win a tournament, and was hampered by wrist and foot injuries during the year.cite web
last = Baldry
first = Beth Ann
title = Rust remover: Creamer makes Hooters Tour stint to prepare for LPGA season
work = Golfweek
date = 2007-02-08
url = http://web.archive.org/web/20070216071127/http://www.golfweek.com/ourtake/288160818317944.php
accessdate = 2008-07-02 ] Creamer still managed to earn over $1 million and make the cut in all 27 LPGA tournaments in which she played, compiling 14 top-10 finishes. Her best result of the season was a tie for second at The Mitchell Company Tournament of Champions.cite web
title = 2006 Player Performance Record
publisher = LPGA
url = http://lpga.com/greensheet.aspx?pid=3438&year=2006
accessdate = 2008-04-03 ]

In 2007, Creamer rebounded with two LPGA Tour titles. On February 17, she won her third career LPGA title at the SBS Open at Turtle Bay, making a 40-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole of the final round to defeat Julieta Granada by one shot.cite web
title = Creamer wins SBS Open for third career tour victory
publisher = ESPN
date = 2007-02-18
url = http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=2769815
accessdate = 2008-04-02 ] In November, Creamer won The Mitchell Company Tournament of Champions, defeating Birdie Kim by eight strokes.cite web
title = Creamer cruises to victory at LPGA's Tournament of Champions
work = Golf Magazine
date = 2007-11-11
url = http://www.golf.com/golf/tours_news/article/0,28136,1682815,00.html
accessdate = 2008-04-02 ] She also played in her second Solheim Cup, leading both sides in points earned. Creamer went unbeaten in five matches as the U.S. team retained the cup.cite web
title = 2007 Solheim Cup: Overall Player Records
publisher = LPGA
url = http://www.lpga.com/content_1.aspx?pid=12706&mid=1
accessdate = 2008-04-03 ] For theseason, she posted 13 top-10 finishes and earned over $1.3 million, third on the money list.cite web
title = 2007 Player Performance Record
publisher = LPGA
url = http://lpga.com/greensheet.aspx?pid=3438&year=2007
accessdate = 2008-04-03 ]

2008

In February 2008, she earned her fifth LPGA title at the Fields Open in Hawaii, coming back from a late two-shot deficit with birdies on the final three holes. cite web
title = Paula Creamer wins Fields Open with late rally
publisher = CBS Sports
date = 2008-02-23
url = http://www.cbs.sportsline.com/golf/story/10663811
accessdate = 2008-04-02 ] On April 27, Creamer came up short in a bid for her second win of the year, losing in a sudden-death playoff to Sörenstam at the Stanford International Pro-Am.cite web
title = Sorenstam wins Stanford International in playoff
publisher = The Sports Network
date = 2008-04-27
url = http://www.tsn.ca/story/?id=236065
accessdate = 2008-07-05 ] The following week, Creamer bounced back at the SemGroup Championship by defeating Juli Inkster in a playoff.cite news
title = Creamer Wins; Ochoa's Streak Ends Without Fight
work = The New York Times
date = 2008-05-05
url = http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/05/sports/golf/05lpga.html
accessdate = 2008-05-07 ] At the U.S. Women's Open, she entered the final round one shot off the lead and in good position to claim her first major championship victory. However, a five-over-par 78 on the last day dropped her into a tie for sixth.cite web
title = Creamer crumbles, still winless at majors
work = Golf Magazine
date = 2008-06-29
url = http://www.golf.com/golf/tours_news/article/0,28136,1818973,00.html
accessdate = 2008-07-05 ] On July 10 at the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic, she shot an 11-under 60, just one stroke off of the LPGA Tour record of 59 by Annika Sörenstam.cite web
title = Creamer Nearly Shoots 59 in Ohio
publisher = The Golf Channel
date = 2008-07-10
url = http://www.thegolfchannel.com/core.aspx?page=15100&select=26565
accessdate = 2008-07-17 ] She shot 60–65–70–73 to beat Nicole Castrale by two strokes.cite news
title = Creamer hangs on to win Jamie Farr Classic by two strokes
work = USA Today
date = 2008-07-14
url = http://www.usatoday.com/sports/golf/lpga/2008-07-13-creamerwins_N.htm
accessdate = 2008-07-17 ] Creamer's fourth title of 2008 came in October's Samsung World Championship, where she won by one stroke and became the first American with four or more wins in an LPGA Tour season since Inkster had five tournament victories in 1999.cite web
title = Creamer holds on to win Samsung Championship
publisher = The Golf Channel
date = 2008-10-05
url = http://www.thegolfchannel.com/core.aspx?page=15100&select=27489
accessdate = 2008-10-07 ]

As of October 6, 2008, Creamer is 21st on the LPGA's all-time money list with more than $5.7 million in career earnings.cite web
title = Career Money List
publisher = LPGA
url = http://www.lpga.com/player_stats.aspx?y=2008&o=2
accessdate = 2008-06-20 ] She is No. 3 in the Women's World Golf Rankings, behind Lorena Ochoa and Annika Sörenstam.cite web
title = Women's World Golf Rankings
publisher = Women's World Golf Rankings
url = http://www.wwgr.net/public/
accessdate = 2008-09-01 ]

Creamer has endorsement deals with TaylorMade, Adidas, RBS, NEC, Ricoh, Kraft Foods, Sundog Eyewear, CDW, Aldila, Citizen Watch, Bridgestone, and EA Sports.cite web
title = Ricoh signs commercial endorsement contract with Paula Creamer, top international female professional golfer
publisher = Ricoh
date = 2008-09-26
url = http://www.ricoh.com/info/080926.html
accessdate = 2008-09-28 ] cite news
last = DiMeglio
first = Steve
title = Bubbly Creamer leads U.S. renaissance on LPGA tour
work = USA Today
date = 2008-02-13
url = http://www.usatoday.com/sports/golf/lpga/2008-02-13-creamer-lpga_N.htm
accessdate = 2008-04-03 ] Her likeness has been featured in the golf video games Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 and 09, both published by EA Sports.cite web
last = Thomas
first = Aaron
title = Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 for PlayStation 3 Review
publisher = GameSpot
date = 2007-08-29
url = http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/sports/tigerwoodspgatour08/review.html?sid=6177870
accessdate = 2008-04-03 ] cite news
last = Snider
first = Mike
authorlink = Mike Snider (writer)
title = Healing Tiger keeps (virtual) golf game sharp
work = USA Today
date = 2008-09-02
url = http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2008-09-01-tiger-video-game_N.htm
accessdate = 2008-09-26 ]

Personal life

Paula Creamer was born in Mountain View, California, the only child of Paul and Karen Creamer. She was raised in Pleasanton, where the family's home overlooked the first tee of the Castlewood Country Club's golf course. In 2000, she moved to Bradenton, Florida to attend the IMG Golf Academy, where she graduated from the IMG-affiliated Pendleton High School the week after her first LPGA victory.cite journal
last = Yen
first = Yi-Wyn
title = Working Girl
journal = Sports Illustrated
date = 2005-05-30
url = http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1111493/index.htm
accessdate = 2008-04-02 ] As of 2007, she lived in Isleworth, a gated community in Windermere, Florida.

Association with color pink

Due to her fondness for wearing pink, Creamer's friend Casey Wittenberg nicknamed her the "Pink Panther".cite journal
last = Ginella
first = Matthew
title = American Idol: Paula Creamer
journal = Golf Digest
date = January 2006
url = http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/interviews/2007/06/ginella_creamer0601?printable=true
accessdate = 2008-07-02 ] The sobriquet followed her when she turned pro. In addition to her pink outfits, Creamer sports the color on several of her golf accessories, including her club grips and golf bag.cite news
last = Braswell
first = Tommy
title = Creamer enjoying early success on LPGA
work = The Post and Courier
date = 2007-05-28
url = http://www.charleston.net/news/2007/may/28/creamer/
accessdate = 2008-03-27 ] Creamer also uses a Pink Panther club head cover, in a nod to her nickname. She uses a pink golf ball during the last round of every tournament provided by Precept Golf, one of her sponsors.cite news
last = Braswell
first = Tommy
title = How They Accessorize
work = The Post and Courier
date = 2008-05-29
url = http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/may/29/how_they_accessorize42584/
accessdate = 2008-07-02 ] cite news
title = Paula Creamer with pink golf ball
work = The Washington Post
date = 2006-05-11
url = http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2006/05/11/PH2006051101878.jpg
accessdate = 2007-08-20 ]

Professional wins (10)

LPGA Tour (8)

*2005 (2) Sybase Classic, Evian Masters
*2007 (2) SBS Open at Turtle Bay, The Mitchell Company Tournament of Champions
*2008 (4) Fields Open in Hawaii, SemGroup Championship, Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic, Samsung World Championship

Other (2)

*2005 (2) NEC Karuizawa 72, Masters GC Ladies (both LPGA of Japan Tour)

Results in LPGA majors

Awards

* American Junior Golf Association Player of the Year: 2003
* "Golfweek" Junior of the Year: 2003
* "Golf Digest" Junior of the Year: 2003
* "Golfweek" Amateur of the Year: 2004
* "Golf Digest" Amateur of the Year: 2004
* American Junior Golf Association Nancy Lopez Award: 2005
* LPGA Rookie of the Year: 2005

References

External links

* [http://lpga.com/player_results.aspx?id=3438 Paula Creamer profile on LPGA official site]
* [http://golf.about.com/od/paulacreamer/p/paula_creamer.htm Paula Creamer biography on about.com]

Persondata
NAME = Creamer, Paula
ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Pink Panther
SHORT DESCRIPTION = Professional golfer
DATE OF BIRTH = August 5, 1986
PLACE OF BIRTH = Mountain View, California
DATE OF DEATH =
PLACE OF DEATH =