Date: May 07, 2008
Author:

Creamer rises to the top

Australian Michelle Ellis has battled to an even-par round to close the SemGroup Championship in Oklahoma but could do little to halt the title charge of Paula Creamer. American Creamer (72) began the final day two shots clear of the field but had to hold her nerve in a playoff with Julie Inkster to claim a sixth USLPGA Tour title. Inkster&aposs one-under-par closing-round 71 drew her level with Creamer at two-under-par for the tournament. The pair, the only players to break par for the four rounds, needed two extra holes to separate them. Creamer birdied the second sudden-death hole to claim the $300,000 winner&aposs cheque. Dominant world No.1 Lorena Ochoa ended with one of the rounds of the day, a 69, to move into a tie for fifth place, five shots behind the leading ladies. Ellis was tied for 43rd courtesy of her 71 on Sunday. It left her 13-over-par for the tournament, level with compatriot Sarah Kemp. Kemp, who shot a 70 on moving day, backed up her best round of the tournament with a four-over-par 75. Katherine Hull&aposs final round was one shot worse than Kemp&aposs and left her locked in a tie for 62nd, 20 shots behind Creamer. Of the remaining Australians in the field, Sarah-Jane Kenyon and Anna Rawson both missed the cut while Sarah Oh did not start.