Creamer sets pace at final women’s major
Seeking her first win since 2014, American golfer Paula Creamer shot a bogey-free 7-under 64 on Thursday to seize the firstround lead at the Evian Championship in Evianles-bains, France.
Her seventh birdie on the par-five 18th gave the 32-year-old Creamer a one-shot lead over fellow American Brittany Altomare and South Koreans Mi Hyang Lee, Jin Young Ko and seven-time major winner Inbee Park.
“I feel really just in control,” Creamer said.
“It’s been several years where I felt like just all in all good in my shoes.”
The Evian is the fifth and final major of 2019 for the LPGA Tour.
Temperatures climbed to a toasty 36 C Thursday at the Evian Resort Golf Club.
Creamer’s last tour victory came at the HSBC Women’s Champions event in Singapore in March 2014. She won her only major at the 2010 U.S. Women’s Open in Oakmont, Pa.
“Coming here obviously puts a big smile on my face,” said Creamer, who won at Evian in 2005 as an 18-year-old rookie before the tournament achieved its major status.
Two shots back at 5-under are England’s Mel Reid and Jennifer Kupcho, the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur winner in April.
Kupcho, 22, turned pro earlier this summer following a career at Wake Forest that included a victory at Evian with the U.S. collegiate team in the 2018 Arnold Palmer Cup.
“It’s kind of nice to have a familiar place to go,” said Kupcho, who carded six birdies and one bogey in her round of 66.
“Before last year, I had never been over to Europe, so coming over, the jet lag definitely messed with me a little bit.”
Austin Ernst and South Koreans Sung Hyun Park and Chella Choi are tied for eighth at 4 under.
Alena Sharp of Hamilton was the top Canadian, carding an even-par 71, while Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., fired a 1-over 72.
ST. JUDE CLASSIC
Spaniard Jon Rahm enjoyed a dream day with the putter and charged into the lead with an eight-underpar 62 in the first round of the WGC-ST. Jude Classic in Memphis on Thursday at TPC Southwind.
He enjoyed a three-shot lead over a large group including Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama and American Bubba Watson.
An elite 63-man field is contesting the World Golf Championships event.