Sorenstam wins in playoff at Stanford Pro-Am

Published May 1st, 2008

By Mario Sarmento
SPORTS EDITOR

The difference between 37-year-old Annika Sorenstam and 21-year-old Paula Creamer was as plain as their age disparity as they entered a playoff at the Stanford International Pro-Am Sunday.

Sorenstam said she had “extra butterflies” going, while Creamer admitted she was so nervous she had to stop her putter from shaking.

After missing a short putt on 18 that would have given her the win, Sorenstam sank her second try on the first playoff hole. When Creamer left her six-foot putt short, Sorenstam had her 71st career LPGA win in hand at the inaugural event at Turnberry Isle Resort & Club in Aventura.

“I’m very relaxed and happy and excited at the same time,” Sorenstam said. “I thought I played pretty well and so did Paula. I’m just fortunate it was my turn.”

Creamer and Sorenstam battled back and forth all day, with the Bradenton resident appearing to take control when Sorenstam missed a par putt on 13.

She tapped in for bogey, and Creamer, who had started the day one-shot back, was in the lead.

She had chances to widen the gap on the next three holes, but she missed birdie putts on 14, 15 and 16 to keep Sorenstam within striking distance.

Sorenstam stayed within range with par putts on all three holes.

“I’ve been around awhile,” she said. “I knew anything can happen. Even though I was trailing the last four or five holes, anything can happen – especially with the wind the way it was.”

On 17, Creamer made the crucial mistake when her tee shot hit the right side of the green and settled in the rough.

“You should never miss that pin right, and that’s what I did,” Creamer said.

Sorenstam took advantage, as her putt from the edge of the green settled just before the hole. She tapped in for par to tie Creamer again.

Then it was on to the playoff, where Sorenstam now owns a 16-6 career record. Creamer was in the first playoff of her LPGA career.

“A win is a win and it could have gone either way,” Sorenstam said.
Sorenstam shot a 70 and Creamer shot a 69 on the day.

Pressel misses cut
While her friend Creamer was going toe-to-toe with Sorenstam, Morgan Pressel surprisingly missed the cut Friday when her six-foot putt rolled past the hole.

It was only the sixth time she had missed the cut since becoming a pro in 2006.

What hurt even more was the fact that Pressel was one of the unofficial hosts of the event, as Stanford Financial is one of her sponsors, and her image was plastered everywhere at Turnberry.

“I just wanted to play well, just like every week,” she said.

Amateur Aaron Theobald, a leukemia survivor, paired with LPGA pro Beth Bader to win the Stanford International team title Saturday.