Creamer poised for return at LPGA Classic

Paula Creamer tried braces; she tried specialty gloves. Her quest for relief even found her hitting 8-irons over an outfield fence at the Phillies’ spring training complex.

In the end, it was a dinner plate that convinced her to have surgery on her aching thumb.

“I just watched it; it just fell out of my hand,” Creamer recalled. “It was the weirdest thing. I go, ‘OK, it’s time.’ ”

Now 10 1/2 weeks after doctors reattached a torn tendon, Creamer is ready to start her comeback at the ShopRite LPGA Classic in Galloway, N.J. Wednesday’s pro-am was just her second 18-hole round since withdrawing from the season opener in Thailand.

“Right now, every shot I hit hurts,” Creamer said. “You’re not going to see it on my face, but inside — I’m dying inside.”

The LPGA certainly could use Creamer’s presence on the leaderboard. Until Cristie Kerr’s rain-delayed victory on Monday, no U.S. player had found the winner’s circle this season. Creamer won four times in 2008 before struggling with her injury last season.

Source: Chicago Tribune