Creamer milks solid 67 for 2-shot lead

PITTSFORD, N.Y. – Graduating from high school three weeks ago took a little pressure off Paula Creamer.

“It’s good to have high school all done and move on,” the 18-year-old rookie said after shooting a 5-under-par 67 Saturday to move closer to her second LPGA Tour victory in a month. “It’s kind of like one chapter in my life is done.”

The next chapter looks bright, too.

Creamer strung together three straight birdies from Nos. 15-17 to move to 10-under 206, two ahead of second-round leader Lorena Ochoa, who managed an even-par round at the Locust Hill course.

First-round leader Becky Morgan fired a 71 and was in third place at 7 under. Rosie Jones, looking for her third victory in Rochester, climbed into contention with a 67, moving to 6 under.

Creamer became the second-youngest first-time winner on the LPGA Tour at the Sybase Classic on May 23, five days before her high school graduation in Bradenton, Fla.

“It’s a nice feeling,” she said. “I’m going to start getting my (college) degree online in the fall, so I know that’s going to be very tiring.”

Creamer offset a three-putt bogey at No. 2 with two straight birdies, chipping in from off the green one hole later and sinking a 30-foot putt at No. 4. She hit her tee shot on the par-3 ninth within 4 feet and made the birdie putt.

She put together another run starting at No. 15, making three birdies putts from 12, 4 and 5 feet. Creamer then scrambled to save par at the 18th after driving into the rough on the tree-lined hole, rolling in a 15-footer.

Wendy Ward of Edwall, Wash., shot a 76 for a 224 total.