Paula Creamer has claimed the biggest victory of her career after winning the Samsung World Championship in California.
American takes biggest career title in California
Paula Creamer has claimed the biggest victory of her career after winning the Samsung World Championship in California.
The 22-year-old shot a flawless final round of 69 to finish on nine-under-par, taking the title by a single shot from South Korea's Song-Hee Kim.
Creamer held her nerve on the 18th to roll in a four-foot par putt, thus taking her fourth title of the 2008 season and the eighth of her career.
"That is a big win for myself," she said. "I put so much pressure on myself every time I come here and to finally have one, it feels really good. I'm very excited."
Kim eventually finished with a 68 for her fifth top-five finish of the year.
Two-time defending champion Lorena Ochoa shot a 69 to tie for third place on seven-under alongside Juli Inkster and Suzann Pettersen, who both shot 68s, and Angela Stanford.
Although Creamer entered the final round with a one-stroke lead, Kim joined her at the front when she chipped in on the 14th.
Pressure
More pressure was placed on Creamer's shoulders when world number one Ochoa and Inkster both made birdies at the 16th to pull within a stroke.
However, Creamer regained her lead when she drained a long birdie putt on the 15th green.
She missed a 25-foot birdie putt at the 18th, but holed the four-footer coming back.
Creamer later admitted she had adopted a conservative approach at the 72nd hole.
"I had a one shot lead," she said. "I probably would have hit a three-wood down there. You have to play it smart. It was hard to hit a four-iron.
"It was a smart way to do it. Unfortunately the putt, I hit a little too firm, but we two-putted."
She added: "Honestly, I didn't see it go in. All I heard was the people cheer for it. It was the longest two seconds of my life having it roll into the hole."
