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Pak, Pettersen and Paula

May 17, 2010

The past 24 hours have fostered a lot of commotion on the LPGA Tour. Se Ri Pak finally won her 25th LPGA Tour title, Suzann Pettersen is becoming a proficient runner-up finisher, and Paula Creamer has announced a return to competition.

Proving that veterans on the LPGA Tour still have game, Pak, an LPGA and World Golf Hall of Famer, fearlessly made a birdie on the third playoff hole at the Bell Micro Classic to beat Suzann Pettersen and Brittany Lincicome. The five-time major champion had struggled through a winless drought for three (long) years, and called her win the best moment of her life.

And with her bogey on the second playoff hole, Pettersen increased her 2010 runner-up finishes to three. (A win would've have vaulted her up to No.1 on the Women's World Golf Rankings, but don't tell her that.)

And after spending weeks on the sideline with a thumb injury, Paula Creamer has announced a return to competition on June 17th, the first round of play at the LPGA's ShopRite Classic. She underwent surgery on her left thumb seven weeks ago. When I asked about how rigorous her practice schedule has been, she said hasn't touched a club since her surgery and doesn't know when she can start pounding balls.

With seasoned pros like Pak, young go-getters like Pettersen and Paula better wipe their brows and stay focused.

--Ashley Mayo*