Creamer among three co-leaders in Singapore
Singapore (Sports Network) - Fresh off a disappointing finish in Thailand,
Paula Creamer fired a five-under 67 on Thursday to share the lead with two
other players after the first round of the HSBC Champions tournament.
Creamer, who lost her lead -- and the tournament -- at last week's Honda LPGA
Thailand, bogeyed her first hole Thursday but made six birdies the rest of the
way.
Jane Park and Angela Park posted bogey-free rounds to join Creamer in the
lead.
Ai Miyazato and Seon Hwa Lee stood one shot off the co-leaders at four-under
68; while world No. 1 Lorena Ochoa, the defending champion, led a five-way tie
at three-under 69.
Ochoa is coming off a win in Thailand, her 25th LPGA Tour title, after firing
a 66 in the final round to pass Creamer and second-place finisher Hee Young
Park.
Creamer, who finished third in Thailand, missed the green at the par-four
first and opened her round at Tanah Merah Country Club with a bogey. But she
came right back with an eight-foot birdie putt at the second hole.
The 22-year-old American, already with eight career wins, birdied two more
holes before making the turn, sinking five-foot putts at the fifth and ninth
holes.
Creamer then made three birdies on the back nine, including a 15-footer at the
13th. She rolled in four-foot putts for her last two birdies, at the 15th and
18th.
Interrupted by a weather delay, Creamer had to wait 52 minutes to make her
last birdie putt.
"I was just kind of bummed that we didn't get to finish so I could go home,"
Creamer, who was feeling sick, said of the delay. "But it was a good day. I
hit a lot of really good shots out there. Made some really good putts and just
constantly gave myself chance for birdie."
Jane Park made all five of her birdies during an eight-hole stretch between
the fifth and 12th holes, including a 25-foot putt at the par-three eighth.
"I really like the way the golf course fits my eye," said the 22-year-old.
"And as far as my first round, I'm very happy with a good start. And it's only
the beginning, so we've got a long way to go."
Angela Park started her round on the back nine and made three birdies in a
four-hole span from the 12th, including a 15-foot putt at the 15th to end the
run. She made further birdies at No. 5 and No. 9, ending her round with a 10-
footer for her share of the lead.
"It was very consistent out there, so I'll just continue what I've been doing
over the past couple of weeks," said Park, 20. "I've been playing well but
sometimes I score, sometimes I don't. Tomorrow is just going to be a regular
round. Just another day and hopefully I will do well."
Ochoa had three birdies and 15 pars while opening her title defense. She was
joined in a tie for sixth place by Gwladys Nocera, Se Ri Pak, Eun-Hee Ji and
Angela Stanford.
Last year, Ochoa fired four rounds in the 60s and coasted to an 11-shot win
over Annika Sorenstam, who was still weeks away from announcing her
retirement.
"The course is playing a little longer this year," said Ochoa. "The par-fives
are longer, but it's the same for everyone and it's going to be a great
challenge."
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