LPGA Past and Present “Rookies of the Year” Share the Top Spot at the Samsung World Championships

Maybe now it’s the lady’s time to get some press as the FedEx Cup and the Pesident’s Cup are over. Paula Creamer and Angela Park shot 5-under 67s Thursday to share the first-round lead in the Samsung World Championship.
The two front-runners have something else in common – the 21-year-old Creamer was the LPGA’s Rookie of the Year in 2005 and the 19-year-old Park already has clinched the honor this year.
Park, who was born in Brazil and moved with her parents to the Los Angeles area when she was 8, said she was nervous but thrilled to be in the tournament.
“I don’t know how to describe the feeling, coming out here,” she said. “Obviously being one of the top 20, elite members of women’s golf, is a very priceless experience. And especially to be the only rookie out here gives me great pride and gives me a lot of confidence.”
Creamer had her irons clicking during her bogey-free round.
She said getting up and down from 115 yards for a par on the second hole seemed to steady her, and she birdied No. 3 to get some momentum.
“I hit the ball really solid, had a lot of good looks at birdie. Made some good ones, missed a couple of very easy putts,” Creamer said. “But overall, it’s the first day and I am very pleased with the way I played.”
Creamer finished second to Annika Sorenstam in the 2005 tournament, and was fifth last year when Lorena Ochoa won.
Ochoa led most of the first round this time, but a late lapse cost her when she made a double bogey on the final hole to drop into a three-way tie with Morgan Pressel and Mi Hyun Kim at 68.
Wie, who turned 18 on Thursday, sprayed some shots and couldn’t get putts to fall Paula Creamer and Angela Park shot 5-under 67s Thursday to share the first-round lead in the Samsung World Championship, while Michelle Wie was last in the 20-player field after a 79. The two front-runners have something else in common – the 21-year-old Creamer was the LPGA’s Rookie of the Year in 2005 and the 19-year-old Park already has clinched the honor this year. Creamer hit the irons great during her bogey-free round. Creamer finished runner up to Annika Sorenstam in the 2005 tournament, and fifth last year when Lorena Ochoa won.
“Should Have Quit for the Year” Michelle Wie, who turned 18 on Thursday, sprayed shots and couldn’t get putts to fall and shot a 79 for last place in the limited field event . She was three shots behind 19th-place Bettina Hauert. At her news conference she was more worried about getting her homework assignments done for Stanfors than in playing golf. Too bad. Hopefully she can pull her head together before her money from Nike runs out.

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