Moving On Up
On Sunday, as Brian Davis was separating himself from the pack at the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament, an event he would eventually win by one stroke, the most compelling story in golf was unfolding in Daytona Beach at the LPGA Q school. There, 18year-old Paula Creamer, a senior at the Pendleton School in Bradenton, Fla., was walking away with medalist honors after shooting a final-round 70. It was her fifth-straight round under par, capping an 11-under 349 as she became the first amateur ever to win the event.
"I was pretty nervous and probably double-checked my scorecard 100 times," said Creamer, who turned pro immediately after her win. "It's been a long time, and I'm glad it ended this way and glad it's over." The idea of a teenager complaining about the long wait to receive her professional coronation may seem strange, but it speaks to Creamer's ambition and accomplishments. "My expectations are incredibly high," she said. "I have a lot of goals I want to achieve."
Creamer entered as the favorite after winning the Futures tour Q school in early November and showing well in seven LPGA starts this year. She made the cut in all of those appearances and had five top 20s, including a tie for second at the ShopRite LPGA Classic last June. In July she tied for low amateur at the U.S. Women's Open, finishing 13th. The player she tied in that event? Michelle Wie.
Their matching performances that week spurred talk of a budding teen queen rivalry and conjured visions of Wie-Creamer showdowns for decades to come. That's why Creamer's win on Sunday afternoon may be as significant for what it means to Wie as for what it does to Creamer.
Still only 15 and a sophomore at the Punahou School in Honolulu, Wie now must seriously think about turning pro sooner rather than later. Besides Creamer, 19-year-old Brittany Lincicome of Seminole, Fla., also made it through Q school, and several other talented teens, like Jane Park and Naree Song, seem poised to make the jump before long. If Wie waits to finish high school, she risks becoming simply the latest in a long line of good young players, rather than the preternaturally special talent she's been seen as up until now.
For the moment Wie commands more attention because of her 300-yard drives and her appearances in men's events, such as the PGA Tour's Sony Open, in which she'll play for the second straight year in January. But if one or more of the other teen phenoms wins a few LPGA events, it will certainly steal some of Wie's thunder. Such an occurrence could cost her millions in endorsements, and as Michelle has said, she's looking to earn "Tiger Woods money."
For now Creamer is the one who's ready to start cashing in, although that'll have to wait until the 2005 season begins in February. When asked what she planned to do with the $6,000 purse that goes to the Q school winner, Creamer frowned and said, "I don't get the money because I entered as an amateur." It's the last time that'll happen.
Trust Me
With Martha II at Augusta, a return to pastoral Pinehurst, Jack's farewell at the Old Course, and a 10th major at retooled Baltusrol, 2005 will be one of the best years ever.
Up & Down
[Up]
Craig Stadler
Last season's senior rookie of the year won five times to become the player of the year for '04.
Retief Goosen
Continuing his postinjury surge, the Goose takes the Nedbank Challenge in his homeland.
Peter Lonard
He wins the Australian PGA, his third straight victory Down Under.
[Down]
Tom Kite
After a one-win Champions tour season, the 55-year-old says he'll play on the PGA Tour next year. Huh?
Lee Westwood
Leading by one entering the final round of the Nedbank, he blows up with an 80 to finish sixth.
Greg Norman
Home for the PGA, he catches hell for missing the Aussie Open a week earlier.
COLOR PHOTO
JEROME DAVIS/ICON SMI (CREAMER)
LOST WAGES
Entered as an amateur, Creamer got no money for acing Q school.
COLOR PHOTO
GARY BOGDON (STADLER)
COLOR PHOTO
OSCAR SOSA/AP (KITE)
COLOR PHOTO
HEATHER FAULKNER/AFP/GETTY IMAGES (LONARD)
COLOR PHOTO
CHRIS MCGRATH/GETTY IMAGES (NORMAN)