Exclusive: Paula Creamer interview

By Matt Cooper Last updated: 13th July 2009

Paula Creamer has never been afraid to travel.

Originally from California, she moved across the States to Florida to further her golfing career and, as that career has blossomed, she has happily embraced visits across Europe, throughout Asia and down into Mexico.

It is perhaps no coincidence that she has found success when travelling abroad, but victory in the biggest event outside the US, at the Ricoh Women's British Open, would be the icing on the cake, not least because it would also be a first major title.

In her four visits to British shores she has impressed: a third round 65 vaulted her into contention on debut at Royal Birkdale in 2005, she was seventh at St Andrew's in 2007 and ninth last year at Sunningdale.

Matt Cooper has been talking to the popular American about her preparation for the event, her famous handstand at the home of golf and her local knowledge.

Golf365: Hi Paula, thanks for taking the time to talk to us. It will be great to see you crossing the Atlantic again this summer for the British Open. The tournament returns to the links this year and you said at Birkdale in 2005 that you find links golf "reviving". Does that still hold true?

Paula Creamer: Absolutely - I love the challenges links golf throws up and the variety of shots you have to produce. It is nice to have to think differently and I find it refreshing as we play a lot of similar, wonderful courses in the US that require the same sort of strategy week in, week out. I also love visiting the historic courses that the Ricoh Women's British Open are always played on and that I watched on TV growing up or have read about. The good thing this time around is I have more shots in my bag then I did in 2005. I also know what to expect which helps me also. I cannot wait!

Golf365: You've said you enjoy the unusual test around the greens - using your imagination. Have the last four years been a learning curve in that respect?

Paula Creamer: Yes - I feel more comfortable every year and also have gained experience in how to prepare for the Ricoh Women's British Open as I get more experience on what sort of shots I need to practice to get ready. I relish the challenges that links golf presents and think my game is really well equipped to cope. I am a much more experienced and hopefully better player than I was at 18 in 2005.

Golf365: Your British coach Dave Whelan has the reputation of being a bit of a wizard from 100 yards in so does he offer help with that aspect of links golf?

Paula Creamer: Absolutely, he has some great ideas on how to play the holes and will often give me different ways to play each shot - it is so different approaching to links greens and therefore it really does require a different thought process to the ones we use routinely each week in the US. He has helped me with that immensely both as a coach and also as a past player that played in five or six Opens.

Golf365: You played at Royal Lytham three years ago and were in good shape at halfway (lying seventh). Do you have good memories of the course?

Paula Creamer: I really enjoyed the course and am very much looking forward to returning - I think I could have finished a lot better than I did but let a few things get me down. That will not happen again.

Golf365: It has a really tough finish but one that ought to suit your game because week in, week out you hit more fairways and greens than almost anyone on tour. However, if the course is playing firm the challenge of hitting those fairways and greens alters a little. Do you enjoy that?

Paula Creamer: I do - as you say, my stats on fairways and greens are pretty good so this just brings a whole new challenge. If you hit it down the middle of the fairway you will tend to be in good shape. As far as the approach shots go, I will just have to pick good spots and hopefully have a lot of good yardages. Of course a little luck won't hurt either.

Golf365: In 2007 the ladies finally got the opportunity to play St Andrew's (not before time). What was the highlight of your week at the home of golf?

Paula Creamer: I finished tied seventh and, of course, wish it could have been a few places higher. I just did not take advantage of the weather conditions we had the first day. The whole week was amazing really, playing at the home of golf - playing the holes I watched on TV so many times. I liked seeing and hearing about all the amazing history that surrounds everything that goes on there. There is a really special aura about the place and there was a lot of hype about us making history as the first professional women's event to be hosted on the Old Course. It was also the first year of a new title sponsor, Ricoh, which of course, added to the special feeling of the tournament. The only way my 21st birthday on Sunday could have been better would have been winning the tournament. All the fans were great and sang Happy Birthday to me. How cool is that!! I look forward to the next time we go back there.

Golf365: The photo of your handstand by the Swilken Bridge has kind of become THE image of that momentous occasion - really capturing the spirit of the week. Are you quite proud of that?

Paula Creamer: I love doing cartwheels, hand springs, and most tumbling, so when the photographer, Dave Cannon, saw me doing them he suggested I do a couple for him and I was happy to comply! I think it is one of my favourite pictures as it captures the fun I was enjoying by being at St Andrews. Next time we go to St Andrews (hopefully that will happen) I will have a special move for the bridge.

Golf365: You mentioned that tournament the ended on your 21st birthday and I remember the TV commentary said you had a party planned in the Old Course Hotel. Then the LPGA website had photos of a birthday party in Japan and I'm guessing you had a family get-together when you got home. The Queen has two birthdays - but how many did you manage that year?!

Paula Creamer: I love any reason to get all dressed up so the more parties the better - especially for my birthday. Honestly, any excuse to put on a gorgeous dress and I am right there. Well let's say I celebrated that birthday several times because my friends wanted to party I guess. Some I felt better the next morning than others but we better leave it at that!

Golf365: That month was typical of your schedule: America, France, Scotland, Japan, then back home. You've always been successful when going round the world so I'm guessing you like to travel?

Paula Creamer: I do - I am so lucky that my job is playing a sport I love and travelling around the world to amazing places, playing on beautiful courses, meeting wonderful people and staying in fabulous hotels - I do know how lucky I am and really enjoy the lifestyle. Earlier this year I had some stomach problems and that is when travelling gets tough as you just want to be at home and get better - it can be a bit miserable being away from home and feeling poorly. I have always wanted to be a global player and try to help grow the game of golf by inspiring young boys and girls to learn the game. Golf is such a wonderful game and I want to expose more people to it.

Golf365: So you've travelled all over the world, visited some beautiful places and stayed in some wonderful hotels. But at Birkdale you stayed in a bed and breakfast guest house a week after winning in Evian! Was that the strangest place you've ever stayed on tour?

Paula Creamer: It really is part of the fun of the Tour. The variety of places we visit and stay - as long as I am comfortable and in a place where I can get a good night's sleep I am happy - staying in a cute guesthouse at a seaside town is part of the experience. I think after you have been to a location once you have a better idea where you would like to stay. Sometimes it is more important to stay close to the course than actually what hotel you stay in.

Golf365: Okay, so after four visits over here we hope you've had plenty of time to pick up on some of our funny ways so we'd like to finish off with some quick questions to test your knowledge of Britain (no Googling). First up ...

How long does a game of test cricket last? 2 hours, 6 hours or 5 days?

Paula Creamer: 5 days?

Golf365: Who or what is the Queen of the South? A soccer team, Victoria Beckham or Laura Davies?

Paula Creamer: I think it is a soccer team but it should be Laura Davies!!

Golf365: What is a "Lollipop Lady"? Is she an ice cream vendor, a woman with a big head or a crossing guard?

Paula Creamer: A crossing guard.

Golf365: What is "codswallop"? Is it English sushi, total baloney or an old Scottish term for tee-shot?

Paula Creamer: Total Baloney!

Golf365: The tastiest British food: fish and chips, full English breakfast or steak and kidney pie?

Paula Creamer: Fish and Chips! But you have to have mushy peas with it!

Golf365: The best British drink: pint of bitter or cup of tea?

Paula Creamer: Cup of tea.

Golf365: The best British export: Simon Cowell, Sacha Baron Cohen or Ricky Gervais?

Paula Creamer: Simon Cowell.

Golf365: The best British musical export: Leona Lewis, Amy Winehouse or Coldplay?

Paula Creamer: Coldplay.

Golf365: The perfect British gentleman? James Bond, Hugh Grant or David Beckham?

Paula Creamer: James Bond, he is the global standard!

Golf365: The perfect British heroine? Keira Knightley, Kate Winslet or Bridget Jones?

Paula Creamer: Kate Winslet!

Golf365: And finally, the best British golfer: Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter or Paul Casey?

Paula Creamer: Paul Casey is ranked the highest currently but, wow, all three are fantastic players. Rory has such a great future.

Golf365: Thanks so much for talking to us Paula. We hope you have a great time in England this summer!

Paula Creamer: Thank you for talking with me - it was fun and I can't wait to see you all this summer at Royal Lytham & St Anne's. Please enjoy the summer, stay healthy and make lots of birdies when you play your next round of golf.

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Matt Cooper