SemGroup Championship Presented by John Q. Hammons
Cedar Ridge Country Club
Broken Arrow, Okla.
May 4, 2008
Final-round interview: Paula Creamer | Juli Inkster | Lorena Ochoa
Final-round notes
Creamer earns sixth career LPGA victory.
BROKEN ARROW, Okla., May 4, 2008 – 21-year-old Paula Creamer said she erased the memory of her first LPGA playoff loss last week before she stepped off the plane in Tulsa on Tuesday afternoon, but a bogey on the 72nd hole of regulation at Cedar Ridge CC brought those memories flooding back in. It took Creamer two sudden-death playoff holes, but eventually she prevailed over good friend and U.S. Solheim Cup teammate Juli Inkster at the SemGroup Championship Presented by John Q. Hammons.
“I was not going to lose this week,” said Creamer, who fired rounds of 70-71-69-72 on the week. “I was going to win this golf tournament, and I did in the playoff. Unfortunately, it had to go into a playoff, but I can tell you I was 120 percent prepared going into that from last week.”
Last week, Creamer lost in a one-hole, sudden-death playoff to Annika Sorenstam after losing the lead on the 71st hole of regulation at the Stanford International Pro-Am in Aventura, Fla. This week, Creamer had chances to win the tournament on the 72nd hole and the first hole of sudden-death playoff where she missed similar 12-foot putts, but the third time was a charm as she rolled in an eight-footer to defeat Inkster and take home the $270,000 first-place check. It marks Creamer's sixth career LPGA Tour victory and second this season (Fields Open in Hawaii). Creamer is now 1-1 in playoffs in her career and has won four of eight events when she led entering the final round.
Inkster (72-73-67-70=282) walked onto the 18th hole Sunday down by two strokes, but she found herself in familiar position after draining an 18-footer for birdie, her third of the day, and watching Creamer bogey. Last year, Inkster lost in a one-hole, sudden-death playoff to Mi Hyun Kim.
“I'm encouraged by the way I'm playing, but I'm frustrated that I… just didn't seem like me out there today,” said Inkster, who earned $166,426 on Sunday. “I just couldn't get a feel for the putting.”
The SemGroup Championship's format was increased from 54-holes to 72-holes in the 2008.
Ochoa sneaks into top-5. Rolex Rankings number one Lorena Ochoa fell short in her effort to tie the LPGA record for most consecutive wins in tournaments participated, but she did manage to earn her seventh top-10 finish in seven starts this season at the SemGroup Championship Presented by John Q. Hammons. In a week where she carded two over-par rounds for the first time since the 2006 Weetabix Women's British Open, Ochoa managed just seven birdies – including a second round with no sub-pars – on her way to 3-over-par (73-74-71-69=287) and $62,719 in prize money.
Ochoa still leads the Tour in birdies (131), Rolex Player of the Year points (189), greens in regulation (77.4%), rounds under par (23 of 27) and scoring average (68.44).
Kang goes low. South Korean Jimin Kang (82-70-69-67=288) was the only player in the field to fire three consecutive rounds under-par at the SemGroup Championship Presented by John Q. Hammons. Kang, a one-time LPGA winner, finished eighth after shooting 11-over 82 in the first round. She made the cut on the number at 10-over 152, but recovered with a tournament-best 67 on Sunday to take home $45,103 and a season-best eight place finish.
Season-best finishes. Four-time LPGA champion Dorothy Delasin recorded a season-best tie for fifth at the SemGroup Championship Presented by John Q. Hammons. The 2000 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year started her week with a 7-over-par 78, but broke par on Saturday (69) and Sunday (68) to seal her finish.
Leta Lindley (71-72-72-74) played steady golf all week on her way to a tie for ninth place at the SemGroup Championship. Lindley's previous best finish in 2008 was a tie for 13th at the MasterCard Classic Honoring Alejo Peralta.
Sponsor exemption Hurst finishes ties for 21st. 17-year-old Vicky Hurst shot 8-over-par (71-75-73-73=292) to finish in a tie for 21st place at the SemGroup Championship Presented by John Q. Hammons. The 2007 AJGA Player of the Year was tied for fifth following the first round of play. Last week, Hurst earned her first professional victory at the Jalapeno Duramed FUTURES Golf Classic in McAllen, Tex. Her score of 18-under broke the the Duramed Futures Tour 54-hole scoring record of 16-under held by Grace Park. She is set to receive her high-school diploma in two weeks.
Final-round interview: Paula Creamer | Juli Inkster | Lorena Ochoa
Paula Creamer, 70-71-69-72=282 (-2)
Hole 2, 180-yard par-3: bogey – 4-iron right, chip and missed 15 footer
Hole 3, 343-yard par-4: birdie – drive into right bunker, 5-iron to 20 feet
Hole 7, 399-yard par-4: bogey – 7-iron right to 35 feet, missed 2 ½ foot bogey putt
Hole 8, 405-yard par-4: birdie – 7-iron to 1 foot
Hole 13, 204-yard par-4: bogey – 4-rescue to 30 feet, missed 2 ½ foot bogey putt
Hole 14, 510-yard par-5: birdie – 4-iron to 80 yards, wedge to 3 feet
Hole 18, 406-yard par-4: bogey – 5-iron long and left, chip to 12 feet, 2-putt
Playoff, Hole 18, 406-yard par-4: par – 7-iron to 12 feet
Playoff, Hole 10, 404-yard par-4: birdie – 7-iron to 8 feet
MIKE SCANLAN: Paula, congratulations. It has to feel great after last week to pull off the playoff win here in Tulsa. Just talk about your victory today.
PAULA CREAMER: It was something that I grinded out all day long. I was not going to lose this week. I was going to win this golf tournament, and I did in the playoff. Unfortunately, it had to go into a playoff, but I can tell you I was 120% prepared going into that from last week.
And Colin (Cann) and I would were getting into the cart going here we go again. This is my turn this time. And, you know, things went my way.
But at the same time I was thinking, you know, last year Jules was in the playoff also so she's probably thinking this year's her turn. So, you know, I had to kind of fight that little bit much more harder.
Q. Last week you said you were nervous, this week maybe mad?
PAULA CREAMER: That is. You know, going into it I was just I mean I missed that putt in regulation and I kind of just lost myself thinking, What are you doing, you know. This is two weeks in a row that you're playing good golf and there's no reason why you should be going into a playoff.
But I was much more I guess you could say, I don't think alert is the right word, but prepared just mentally, you know, knowing what I'm going to feel, knowing the emotions that I'm going to have on the putting green, knowing the emotions I'll have on the first tee. I just felt very in control, I guess is the biggest thing, because of what happened last week.
Q. What would have been do you allow yourself to consider what it would have been like to have gone two weeks in a row of losing a late lead and not winning? Do you allow yourself to think that?
PAULA CREAMER: No. I mean if it ever did creep into my mind it was immediately, What are you thinking. But it didn't.
Like I said, I was I had one goal in mind this week and that was to win this golf tournament. And, you know, I came, I did my business, and, you know, now it's on to Kings Mill.
But it feels so much better, I mean, I can tell you than last week. Last week it was a struggle. This will be a nice little plane ride home instead of a three hour car ride home.
Q. You hit the shot too long the last hole regulation, looked like you had to take a couple of drops. Can you explain that?
PAULA CREAMER: Believe it or not, I actually went down a club. I was going to hit a 4 iron into this green, but we probably would be sending it right into the TV tower instead of underneath it. But I hit it underneath the tower so I took a drop from that. Then I took a drop because of the cords, which was a ground repair because they had to dig a drench. Then I dropped it into I mean I made a decent chip. I thought it wasn't going to move that much but it went straight left to ride which was odd. And I didn't make a very good up and down there which was not very good.
Q. Nancy Lopez just called to congratulate you?
PAULA CREAMER: She called me like five times but that was the first time I talked to her. I called her on the way here. She's probably calling saying I'm watching you, I'm watching you.
Q. Nancy's the only player to accomplish as much at age 21 that you have. What's that mean to be in that kind of company?
PAULA CREAMER: It's pretty cool. It's neat. You know, nancy, she has done so much for women's golf and she's influenced a lot of my golf, especially now. Ever since Solheim Cup we've become very close. To be put in the same category as her is quite an honor.
Q. Do you talk about that?
PAULA CREAMER: No. She's too competitive. She'd say I wasn't in there. (Laughing).
Q. You win twice as a rookie then don't win when you have the sophomore slump. That young do you ever think, oh my gosh, I'm never going to win again, is that a goofy thing to even think?
PAULA CREAMER: My second year out thinking I'm never going to win again? No. I guess that's the good thing, the positive to look at that, that people were thinking my second year I'm never going to win. There's so many players out here that haven't won and been out for years. To have that but, at the same time, that's the expectations that I have and that people have for me, which is something that I've learned to kind of deal with.
You know, and I think it's you know, I put the most pressure on myself, more than anybody does out here, the media or anything like that. And, you know, when I don't meet my expectations in what I want to do I'm the hardest one.
But it was, it was a difficult sophomore year. But, you know, we got through it and now we're on to my fourth year.
Q. Paula, just talk about the focus that you had because I know you missed a short birdie on 6?
PAULA CREAMER: Yeah.
Q. Had a lip out on 7 then came back and stuck a birdie on 8. Just seemed like you kept putting them down the middle and putting yourself in position?
PAULA CREAMER: I tried. Every time I had a bogey I bounced right back with a birdie, which was something I was really proud about today. I kind of let it get away with a couple short putts but I'd come right back with a birdie and hit it close.
But I did my putter and I, we just did not want to work well. My speed was so bad, just didn't have any confidence, that's unfortunate. It was something that I had to kind of get over. But I kept looking at it as well you keep giving yourself chances and you keep making those pars they're going to have on go out and make all these birdies which is kind of hard to do.
But, at the same time, if I had a couple more putts drop I think it could have been a different story.
Q. Paula, did you feel any sense of relief when Juli hit into both extra holes 50 feet away from the green knowing that she was likely putting for pars on both of those and you would have that birdie shot to win on both? Did it at least give you a little bit of a chance to take a breath?
PAULA CREAMER: Um, yes. I mean, she was but, you know, the two putts that she made, I don't know how they didn't go in. There was such good putts I'm thinking oh my goodness you know this is unbelievable. But, you know, you have to go into match play at that moment. And you have to imagine everything is going to go in the hole.
When I was in the regulation I knew she was going to make that putt. I just knew she would, mentally. And going into it in the other holes that's all I thought about. I knew I'd have to make my putt, and I focused that much more on that.
Q. Can you talk about what things were you focusing on your swing coming in the final stretch? I noticed your caddy helping you with your balance?
PAULA CREAMER: Yeah. He held my head ever since the 4th tee all day long. It's just one of my tendencies I tend to go back to especially when you are under pressure. We were just trying to, you know, figure something out that would help me throughout the round. And it did.
Ever since the fourth tee I hit some really good shots, just my putting kind of let me down. But that's something that I think I can take away as knowing what's happening from past tournaments and past experiences, my tendencies. And for Collin to know that too that just makes it much more, you know, trust involved.
Q. Technique wise, does holding your head, does that fight anything specific?
PAULA CREAMER: Well I tend to, I guess, my right leg actually straightens in my golf swing and it looks like I'm diving at the ball, and it just helps me keep my chest high and keep my head high. So I can have better width in my golf swing. And it's just something that triggers it and it's helped me and it did today that's for sure.
Q. I understand the deal with the pink ball. Was it tough to lobby to get approval to use that on tour?
PAULA CREAMER: Oh, no. We don't have any regulation. It just has to be a confirmed ball through the USGA.
Q. This victory's so much different than the other. I mean you mentioned the birdies following every bogey today, and this seem like a win of resiliency. Do you think it's going to be more valuable down the road than maybe the previous?
PAULA CREAMER: Oh, yeah, I learned a lot. I just grinded. I really did. I just grinded the whole day. I was not I was going to win this golf tournament. I kept telling myself that and I kept telling myself, Okay just stay patient, confident, this is why you practice, this is why you have to come out and do this every day. And I've always remembered that I play my best under pressure.
And, you know, I knew in that playoff with what was on the line and what happened last week that, you know, I was going to win this golf tournament.
Q. First time you won without your dad around?
PAULA CREAMER: It is.
Q. Is there any chance you'll tell him to stay home?
PAULA CREAMER: I talked to him when I was driving up, my mom and dad. My mom's in California and my dad's in Florida right now. And my dad he goes he said it himself. He says, I'm so proud of you. You did it yourself. You went out there.
You know, I talked to him twice today. In the morning and right after my round. And he said you did it. And I think that was the biggest thing, just knowing that I can come out here and I can win on my own, which was you know, it's kind of sad not to have mom and dad here, that's for sure, but it definitely helps my confidence in knowing that in the future I can win.
Q. What is different with him here?
PAULA CREAMER: It's
Q. He wasn't reading your putts or anything?
PAULA CREAMER: No. But having your mom and dad here I always have little routines that I do with them. You know things kind of change with that. And you know dinners are different. It's just me by myself thinking about things and it's just a different feeling. It's nice to have them but it's nice to learn, you know, how to do things kind of on your own.
Q. What did you do all week?
PAULA CREAMER: I didn't do much that's for sure.
Q. Really?
PAULA CREAMER: I would go eat dinner and I would come home and I'd watch a movie. The I do my workout and that was it every day. In my bed at 9:00. Pretty exciting. (Laughing). I am in Tulsa, Oklahoma, you know, I can't really get in too much trouble. (Laughing).
Q. Is that a good thing for this town?
PAULA CREAMER: That's a great thing. Heck, if I am going to win here, I'll come here and live here, shoot.
Q. Did you think with the conditions being the way they were today that somebody in the top ten might throw a 65 or 66 out there, did you think that could happen?
PAULA CREAMER: Um, I mean it was in my mind. Before I went out I looked at some of the scores to see what everybody was doing and nobody was really making any big push. So I knew that it was playing pretty not difficult but it was playing not birdie golf. You know, as the scoreboard showed it. Two under Par 1 was the golf tournament. Was it J.J. who had the best round today? didn't think anybody would do better than 5 or 6 under par.
Q. Ever won a tournament over par?
PAULA CREAMER: I don't think so. I don't think so.
Q. How about this event being 72 holes, do you like that?
PAULA CREAMER: Without a doubt. This golf course, it's everybody's game for four days. I think all good players want it to do be, you know, the more golf the better.
I've always preferred four day tournaments. And especially the people keep asking about it, this is a major type golf course and for sure, definitely these four days it was, that's for sure.
Q. If possible, did you gain more respect for Juli Inkster today?
PAULA CREAMER: I thought that putt that she made on 18 was clutch. I thought that was unbelievable. I've always said, you know, she's been my role models and that proves every word that I've ever said, just that heart. She has so much just wants everything so badly. And I knew she was with going to make that, and she did. I told Collin, I said, You know, that's why I like her so much.
Q. Did Morgan hang around just to watch you because you guys are buddies? Pressel.
PAULA CREAMER: I would like to say I hope so. (Laughing). We are buddies, but it was nice that she came out. She came out on the playoff hole and watched.
Juli Inkster, 72-73-67-70=282 (-2)
Hole 3, 343-yard par-4: birdie – sand wedge to 12 feet
Hole 6, 158-yard par-3: bogey – 9-iron short in hazard, missed 4 foot par putt
Hole 7, 399-yard par-4: birdie – 8-iron to 3 feet
Hole 8, 405-yard par-4: bogey – hooked drive into water, up and down from 5 feet
Hole 18, 406-yard par-4: 8-iron to 18 feet
MIKE SCANLAN: All right, Juli. Kind of bittersweet to see your friend Paula Creamer win there at the end. Your second playoff in a row here at Cedar Ridge. Can you just talk a little bit about how you are feeling.
JULI INKSTER: Hopefully, third time's a charm. So hopefully next week will be better.
But you know what, I played good today. I hit the ball so much better today. I just didn't feel comfortable with my putter.
You know, Paula missed some putts out there. I just knew it was just a matter of time before she made one. Had the exact same putt for birdie on the 10th hole today, and I just knew she would roll that in.
So, um, you know, it's disappointing because I played definitely good enough to win. And, you know, you just I don't know kind of disappointing.
Q. Did you find yourself wanting it too bad; you wanted it too much?
JULI INKSTER: It's kind of a fine line. I did want it bad, but I tried not to feel that way out there. I was just trying to let it come to me. I was trying to be patient. But when you just keep missing putts after putt it kind of wears on you.
You know, I putted so good for the first three days that it's funny, you just wake up and feel like you got a two by four in your hand instead of a putter.
But you know what, I hung in there, I made a nice putt on the last hole just to have her have to make it. And, um, you know, she did what she had to do. She had two good iron shots on the playoff holes and made birdie on one of them.
Q. I mean, it's never over, but walking up 18, 2 shots behind, talk about going from there and then going to the playoff?
JULI INKSTER: Yeah, I mean, I plotted along all day and just felt like, you know, when I saw her hit her shot and I knew it was long, I was there last year and it's not an easy up and down. I hit a good iron shot in there. Hadn't made a putt all day so I was like, well, you know, you never know. When it went in that was a tough putt. I think it was a double breaker. If she made that, hats off to her. So, you know, it was great to at least force a playoff and make her work a little bit.
But, you know, the front nine's the one I had loads of opportunities to win.
Q. You accomplished so much when you were young and today you almost became the oldest champion. How gratifying is it to know you're still competitive for so long?
JULI INKSTER: Honestly, not that gratifying. (Laughing). Just to be honest with you. I mean, you know, I just don't feel my age, I guess. I mean everybody makes a big deal out of it, but, you know, I just don't the feel I mean, even though 47's not that the old, you know, I just feel like I compete out here no problem. It's just a different time in my life where, you know, golf is not my number one priority. But you know it's still when I'm between the ropes it's my priority.
So it's gratifying to still be able to play out here and compete, but I wouldn't be out here if I didn't think I could compete.
Q. Anyone ever told you you don't act your age ever?
JULI INKSTER: Yeah, my kids say that all the time.
Q. Just curious, with really the heart of the season coming up, the three majors in a quick span
JULI INKSTER: Two for me.
Q. I'm sorry. I should have known better. Are you at all encouraged by the way you're playing, or is there part of you that's still frustrated?
JULI INKSTER: I'm encouraged by the way I'm playing, but I'm frustrated that I just I mean, I don't know, just didn't seem like me out there today. I just didn't feel it's hard to explain. I just couldn't get a feel for the putting. And usually, you know, maybe takes me one or two holes to settle in and then I'm kind of off and running. And, you know, I just never really felt settled with my putter and that was kind of frustrating.
So I guess maybe just seeing some more putts go in and seeing that, you know I don't know. It seems like I've been doing this forever, I should know how to do it.
It's just a funny game. It's just a fine line from, you know, winning and losing. And today it was putting.
But you know what, if I didn't putt like I putted the first three days I wouldn't even have had a chance. So I don't know.
Q. With the conditions out there today being so much better did you think there was a chance somebody in the top ten might throw a 65 or 66 out there?
JULI INKSTER: I was just telling Doug amazing how high the scores were. I thought someone would shoot a 67, 66 out there today. I mean, it was out there.
But you know what, it's tough golf course. The greens are tough. The fairways are tough to hit. You got to play your way around it. And, you know, it's just like one bad swing on Number 8 today when I hit the hazard, and I make bogey. It was a good bogey. You just got to I hate to say it, but it's golf course you just got to plot away on it.
Q. Juli, can you tell us your thoughts on this event now that it's been moved to four days and now that the tournament is over for everyone. Do you like the way that this tournament now is set up with the four day event?
JULI INKSTER: Yeah, I think any golf tournament should be four days. I just think I don't know, four days, you know, everybody has you can have an even par or 1 under round or 1 over round and still win.
Three round tournaments too much emphasis is on the first round getting out of the blocks. So I think a four day tournament really, you know, that's the way it should be.
SemGroup, they've made this a great championship. They've done a first class job. And the golf course goes along. It's great golf course.
Q. Now that they've moved it to the spring 3 under won it last year in 54 holes, 2 under won it in 72 holes. Do you like this challenge, you know, other than where it's got to be a birdiefest?
JULI INKSTER: Just like today I mean, it's like I don't know what the low score was but, you know, there was hardly any wind out there today and nobody tore it up. So, you know, I like throwing a little wind out there. I just think it, you know, makes for good golf. You got to hit some good shots. You got to play the golf course.
You know, I think it blows all the time here. I don't think it really matters when you move it, personally.
Q. You mentioned the swing on 8. You just came off a two shot swing on 7 catching up. How much did that halt your momentum?
JULI INKSTER: I mean, you know, you look at 5 and 6 I mean, it's just give me birdies. I make a par and a bogey and, you know, I made a good shot in there on 7. Eight I probably should have hit a 3 wood off the tee. But, you know, i was hitting my driver so good I just decided to just stick with it. And, you know, I just overcooked it a little bit, you know.
It hurt but I still I mean, I was playing well. Still only I think I was right where I started, two shots back.
Q. Did the putt on 18 give you momentum?
JULI INKSTER: I don't know if it gave me momentum. I mean I felt good about the putt. It barely went in. It was not moving very quick. But, you know, I had a pretty good read out and I finally got one started on line.
And, you know, Paula had a tough putt. That was a tough putt for par.
I felt pretty good about the playoff. I mean, I didn't hit my best irons, but I hit some good putts and it didn't go in.
Q. Do you enjoy that kind of pressure?
JULI INKSTER: Well, if you don't, you're in the wrong business. So, you know, it's nice to have an opportunity to get in the playoff and able to come through and do it. So, you know, I enjoy it. I wish the outcome was different. But, you know, it was fun. It was good golf, good TV.
Q. Do you think Paula respects you even more now?
JULI INKSTER: I don't care. (Laughing) I don't care at all. No, just kidding. Paula's a great player. And she's going to win lots of tournaments. She works hard at her game and she is great for the tour. So, you know, I am glad she won. But I wish it was me, and vice versa if she was sitting up here right now. Thank you.
Lorena Ochoa, 73-74-71-69=287 (+3)
Q. Are you disappointed you weren't able to win five in a row?
LORENA OCHOA: That's a hard word. I'm not disappointed because I gave myself a chance and I tried really hard. Sometimes it doesn't happen for you. I want to thank all the fans this week. We got a lot of support.
Q. How did it feel to finish with a birdie on 18?
LORENA OCHOA: That was good. It really changed my attitude for the week. I'm going (away) really happy. It helped a lot to get closer and finish in the top-10. I'm leaving with a smile on my face. It's been a good week overall.
Q. Tough putting for you this week?
LORENA OCHOA: Not only me, it's tough for everybody. It's one of those courses where the putts break a lot and it's never easy to get a good read. There a lot of fast greens, especially going downhill and sometimes it's not there for you. Like I said, I'm doing okay. It's important to feel good.
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