Date: November 12, 2007
Author:

Doolan no match for rampant Creamer

Paula Creamer captured her fourth career title on Sunday by rolling to an eight-shot triumph at the LPGA Tournament of Champions. Australian Wendy Doolan finished a distant 29th after carding a one-over-par 73 to finish on 11-over, 31 shots behind Creamer. Thanks to her efforts over the first three days, Creamer took the course in the final round with her second title of the year a virtual lock. The California starlet held a commanding six-shot lead entering the final round. Creamer had no pressure en route to carding four-under-par 68 to finish at 20-under 268 overall, well clear of Birdie Kim (68) at 12-under. After a pair of bogeys on the front nine Thursday, she played her next 62 holes without one until the par-four 18th Sunday. “I won a US junior tournament over this course, so it&aposs special to come back and win as a professional,” Creamer said. “I was in control, but still had to stay focused. I was hoping to equal or beat the tournament record of 21-under, but the bogey at the last cost me.” “But it feels really good to win for a second time this year and this has been a really exciting week.” Creamer sent an early statement to the rest of the field that there would be no collapse as she opened with a birdie on the par-four first hole. The 21-year-old added one more on the front nine in what turned into another consistent round. The 2005 LPGA Rookie of the Year, Creamer&aposs other win this season came at the season-opening SBS Open at Turtle Bay. Natalie Gulbis (68), Annika Sorenstam (70) and Pat Hurst all tied for third at 10-under 278. Lorena Ochoa, who already has clinched the world&aposs number one ranking, finished ninth at seven-under 281. The Mexican carded a 70 on Sunday.