Teens talk of British Open
By Robert Millward Advertiser library photo WOMEN'S BRITISH OPEN
SOUTHPORT, England Call it the LPGA Teen Tour.
Two months after going through high school graduation, 18-year-old Paula Creamer won for the second time this year with an eight-shot victory in the Evian Masters. In her last event before she starts the 11th grade at Punahou School in Honolulu, 15-year-old Michelle Wie is looking to build on her third runner-up finish this season.
The Women's British Open could be set to crown its first teenage champion unless, of course, 34-year-old Annika Sorenstam comes through.
The world's best women have arrived at Royal Birkdale for the 30th edition of the Weetabix Women's British Open, and fifth since it became a major on the LPGA Tour. The field of 150 tees off tomorrow (today Hawai'i time) on the 6,463-yard, par-72 links course that also is part of the men's British Open rotation.
Sorenstam will try to become only the fourth woman to win three majors in one year. But the spotlight is shared with emerging stars, like Wie and Creamer, who are making their British Open debuts.
Creamer is on the verge of making the U.S. Solheim Cup team and is third on the LPGA money list at $1.1 million. Wie is an amateur who has turned down paychecks totaling $530,000 this year that would place her 13th on the money list in just six tournaments.
Laura Davies won her only British Open in 1986 before Wie and Creamer were born. She believes so many young stars show that women's golf is stronger than ever.
"It doesn't get much better," Davies said. "At the U.S. Open, there was an 18-year-old, a 17-year-old, 15-year-old and I think another 17-year-old basically in contention, three out of four of them amateurs. Annika wasn't even in contention. And it had triple the (TV) ratings of the men's tournament that week."
Davies was asked if Wie and Creamer had similar games.
"Not really; they are completely different," Davies said. "Michelle's game is a lot more dynamic and obviously Paula hits a lot more consistently and every shot seems to be a very similar drive. Probably doesn't have quite as many shots as Michelle but that's just the difference in the dynamics of the game. Obviously one is 15 and one is 18 and they are both incredibly good."
Karen Stupples, who won last year's British Open for her first major in her sixth season as a pro, said the newcomers have the talent to make a big impact on the Royal Birkdale links.
"Paula Creamer and Michelle Wie are undoubtedly phenomenal talents," she said. "They are very fortunate that they are able to do it so young, to have the right coaching and right knowledge given to them at an early age.
"But it doesn't stop players like Laura, myself, Meg Mallon, Juli Inkster, Beth Daniel playing great golf as well."
Stupples, who stunned her rivals last year by starting her final round with an eagle and double eagle on two par-5s at Sunningdale, said experience could be vital in dealing with the tricky links course. Scores could go into the 80s if the wind blows. The forecast is for showers and thunderstorms.
"Sometimes it's just about survival, it doesn't have to be pretty golf but functional golf," Stupples said. "Maybe being a bit older and a little bit more patient, we might know a few more shots. But I wouldn't put anything past these young girls."
Australia's Karrie Webb won the first of her three British Open titles 10 years ago at age 20, making her the youngest winner in tournament history.
That could change Sunday.
The LPGA Tour Web site contributed to this report.
Associated Press
In an elite field of 150, Michelle Wie is among the pre-tourney attractions in England.
Schedule: Tomorrow (tonight, Hawai'i time) to Sunday.
Course: Royal Birkdale Golf Club (6,463 yards, par 72).
Purse: $1.8 million. Winner's share: $279,494.
Television: TNT (Tomorrow and Friday, 7 a.m.) and ABC (Saturday, 8 a.m.; Sunday, 7:30 a.m.).
Last year: England's Karen Stupples won at Sunningdale, opening the final round with an eagle and a double eagle en route to a five-stroke victory over Australia's Rachel Hetherington. Stupples finished at 19-under 269, tying the record for a major championship set by Dottie Pepper in the 1999 Nabisco Dinah Shore.
Last week: Paula Creamer won the Evian Masters in France for her second LPGA Tour title, beating fellow teenager Michelle Wie and Lorena Ochoa by eight shots. Annika Sorenstam finished 12th, 12 strokes back. The 18-year-old Creamer also won the Sybase Classic two months ago.
Notes: Sorenstam is winless in her past three starts after winning six of her first eight tournaments of the year, including victories in the Nabisco Championship and LPGA Championship.