Creamer Wins HSBC Women's Champions Dramatically


After tying Azahara Munoz in regulation, American Paula Creamer sank a snaking 75-foot eagle putt on the second sudden-death playoff hole to beat the Spaniard and win the $1.4 million HSBC Women's Champions on the Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore.

The 27-year-old Californian closed with a 3-under 69 to tie Azahara (70) at 10-under 278 in regulation. Hall of Fame member Karrie Webb posted a 74 and missed the playoff by a stroke.

The third time down the par-5 18th in the past hour, Creamer stroked the long putt across the rolling green, over a ridge, down a slope and straight into the cup for the eagle and her first victory since the 2010 U.S. Women's Open.

When the ball disappeared, Creamer ran across the green screaming in excitement. "I could stand there all day long and putt that and not get it within six or seven feet, but it just happens sometimes," she said.

Creamer had just missed a chance to win on the first playoff hole when her birdie putt curled off. The next time down 18, she went for the green in two to set up the dramatic eagle try.

Webb entered the final round with a one-shot lead over Angela Stanford. The 39-year-old Aussie, who won the Women's Australian Open two weeks ago, was still atop the leaderboard early on the back nine Sunday before recording three bogeys on the final six holes to fall short.

"I'm a bit in my head right now. There's a lot going on," said Webb, who was looking for a wire-to-wire victory. "Just not a lot of good decisions."

Stanford shot a 75 to share fourth at 281 with No. 1-ranked Inbee Park (68) and So Yeon Ryu (66) of South Korea, No. 2 Suzann Pettersen of Norway (70) and American Morgan Pressel (71).

For Creamer, the victory - worth $210,000 - was especially sweet considering the long stretch between visits to the winner's circle. "I'm shaking, oh my gosh. This has been such a long time coming. Obviously it's a bit of luck (the putt) going in like that."

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