Paula Creamer calls for women’s Masters
Creamer would love for organisers to at least listen to the idea of women playing a Masters in consecutive weeks with the men’s tournament.
She reiterated her opinions this week at Lake Merced Golf Club, where the Bay Area native is preparing for this week’s Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic.
On April 14, Creamer posted on Twitter: “I hope The Masters will consider a Women’s Masters soon. They do so much to grow the game. Fastest area of golf growth is women! #6Majors?
“I’ve been there, I’ve played there, stayed in Butler’s Cabin,” said Creamer, the 2010 US Women’s Open champion.
“I had an awesome time. I think the patrons and everybody would love to have two weeks there, two tournaments. Why wouldn’t you? Hopefully, we will see something change and happen.”
While she hasn’t heard from anyone official at Augusta, there has been plenty of positive feedback since she made the comments. She wants to be part of golf taking steps to recruit the next generation of young players.
“It’s 2015. I think Augusta and the Masters and everybody with that event, they want to grow the game so badly,” Creamer said.
“That’s what it is, about growing the game and giving people opportunities. The Chip and Putt, all of that for the kids to be able to come out there.
“There’s no reason why we can’t do that in women’s golf. We’re just as much a part of growing the game.”
When reminded that Augusta National Golf Club chairman Billy Payne has referenced scheduling issues when it comes to adding an event such as a women’s tournament, Creamer noted she believes it wouldn’t be that hard and “I think they could handle two weeks a year. You could have two major tournaments back-to-back,” she said.
Payne however has said he doesn’t envision a women’s Masters.
“We have a very short member season at Augusta National. It’s seven months only,” he said. “The time that we dedicate to the preparation and conduct of the tournament is already extensive. I don’t think that we would ever host another tournament.”
Creamer is open to participating in further discussion. “There’s no reason why you can’t revisit things. I think somebody’s got to speak up and somebody’s got to say something,” Creamer said. “It’s an idea, I don’t think that people should be ashamed to talk about it. I’d like to know truthfully why we wouldn’t be able to have a tournament there. Definitely women’s golf deserves something like that.”
Meanwhile Justin Rose will this week make his first appearance since finishing second in the Masters in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, an event where he has an impressive recent record.
Former US Open champion Rose, who was joint second with Phil Mickelson behind Jordan Spieth at Augusta National, has not been outside the top 15 on his last three outings at TPC Louisiana.
Since missing the cut in 2011, the 34-year-old Ryder Cup star has finished 10th, 15th and eighth and is a total of 38 under par, with his last 12 rounds all at par or better.
Rose will play alongside two other players who performed well in the Masters for the first two rounds, world number 13 Rickie Fowler finishing 12th and Steve Stricker – 28th in his first tournament of 2015.
Stricker underwent back surgery in December last year and will continue to play a limited schedule as he works his way back to full fitness, but the 48-year-old has not given up hope of another Ryder Cup appearance even though the Seniors Tour looms when he turns 50.
“No matter what tournament I go to I want to be prepared and to play well and this is no different,” Stricker said.
“Even though it’s only my second event, I have high expectations of what I can do and what I should do. So I come here thinking that I can play well, but deep down I know it’s a process and I’ve got some work to do.
“I’m probably a little more relaxed with things now than I was say 10 years ago when I was trying to find my game. I would say that I’m more comfortable in my own skin and what I do out here on tour is just kind of bonus.
“I’ve kind of relaxed my schedule the last few years, so that’s probably why I have this attitude about playing. I’m much more excited to play when I do come to an event because I’m not playing as much.
“So right now I have really the best of both worlds and that’s what I’ll continue to do all the way up to the senior tour when I start playing some of that.
“I’m still very competitive though. I really still want to win again and play well and maybe make another team event before all is said and done. So I still have some drive in there.”
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