Paula Creamer and the Great American Tantrum

[worst_shot_ever]

Anyone catch Round 2 of the Samsung World Championship, particularly the pink panther's spectacular sh** fits all day? When she wasn't throwing her clubs, she was shooting daggers at her caddy. Poor dude had the "thank you may I have another" look down pat. I haven't followed her the way I've paid attention to other LPGA players, but I take it this is hardly the first instance of her playing the drama queen.


STOMP!

[Harry Longshanks]

Anyone catch Round 2 of the Samsung World Championship, particularly the pink panther's spectacular sh** fits all day? When she wasn't throwing her clubs, she was shooting daggers at her caddy. Poor dude had the "thank you may I have another" look down pat. I haven't followed her the way I've paid attention to other LPGA players, but I take it this is hardly the first instance of her playing the drama queen.

I don't think Paula is any worse than anyone else on tour. And generally, better.

My favorite soundbite from the Samsung on Saturday came from Mark Rolfing, commenting about Creamer's approach shot:

"She's going to be above the hole with a big hooker."

Pardon? EDIT: w_s_e, Could you understand what Creamer said to her caddy? Something like,

"For god's sake, how many times are (you/they) going to _______ these greens?"

[iacas]

"For god's sake, how many times are (you/they) going to _______ these greens?"

I thought she said "roll" but I'm not entirely sure.

[Franco!]

I love my women with a little attitude.
I saw her during the day complaining about people walking.
Usually, most caddies handle that while the golfer goes thru their routine again, but she was throwing her hands up. Annoying.

[worst_shot_ever]

Yeah, like I said I don't really know how she stacks up against any others in this regard. Before I posted I did do a quick and dirty google search for "Creamer" and "Temper" and came back with the ball smooshing picture. But just to be clear I don't mind it -- and in fact get a big kick out of it when watching televised golf, sort of like when Christie Kerr starts yelling and gritting her teeth when things go bad. I just felt sorrry for her caddy, but I'm sure he's well compensated for any times he has to play whiping boy.

I didn't TIVO the round, and didn't focus on what she was saying at the time I was watching. If you guys are right about your lip-reading, however, then perhaps it was the officials, and not (or perhaps as well as?) the caddie who was the focus of her ire on that occasion.

[Harry Longshanks]

I thought she said "roll" but I'm not entirely sure.

That's what I thought too, but then why was she so pissed at Colin (her caddy)?

(I realize that the answer here may be: "because that's what players do." Just wondering if there was another possible reason. I mean, it's not like she had the wrong club.)

[hawkeye]

i've never seen an LPGA tour player do that - the words out of her mouth I don't mind so much (not a great image for golf though, with young kids watching) - A lot of the men do it too - but the throwing of the club was a bit much.

It's good to see a pro letting their emotions out on the course - we am's do it often enough!
she is still a class player!

[worst_shot_ever]

That's what I thought too, but then why was she so pissed at Colin (her caddy)?

Yeah, but if Colin had only lined her up correctly (or given her the proper club on approach), she would have holed that putt as fate and god intended. Clearly the caddy's fault.

[bruce]

She always looks like she is ready to cry,looks like someone could have been a spoilt child,

[st0wgolf08]

She always looks like she is ready to cry,looks like someone could have been a spoilt child,

Hah i completely agree, If i shot a 85 in a tour event, but made the tour I would be thrilled, people would do anything to be in her shoes and play half as well as she does, and to be pissy because things didn't go her way is sad.

[geezer]

Looks like she managed to get it under control for the next day. Shot 68 or something and is leading.

I like to see the pros get angry sometimes. From the LPGA website:

Q. You say your attitude and mannerisms yesterday, did you get mad at Colin or were you mad at yourself? PAULA CREAMER: I was mad at myself. I would never got get mad at Colin. Decisions that we make, that's something else. But Colin is out there trying to help me. He is not trying to hurt me by any means. He is the easiest person you can take it out on. He is right there. We've been together … this is our fourth year. We have our moments, but for sure it was the decisions that we made that were getting me more anxious than I've been on the golf course.

[PEZGolf]

Did she ever use the "F" word like Tiger and some of the guys on the PGA Tour have done? A little bit of emotion is a good thing, and to be expected. Paula has always worn her "heart on her sleeve" but throwing clubs is punishable with fines, and they should be steep enough to have an effect. This sounds like the worst case of bad behavior that she has exhibited in her professional career.

[geezer]

^ I agree.
If thats as bad as it ever gets for her (in terms of her venting) she'll be OK. I've seen much worse.

[bobsuruncle]

As others have said, emotions on the course are fine, but throwing the clubs which are punishable by fines, should be enforced....and not selectively. I can only imagine the level of "acceptance" (or lack thereof) had the player not been Paula Creamer...

[PEZGolf]

As others have said, emotions on the course are fine, but throwing the clubs which are punishable by fines, should be enforced....and not selectively. I can only imagine the level of "acceptance" (or lack thereof) had the player not been Paula Creamer...

As I already wrote, I agree with you about costly fines. I will say this---in today's Associated Press article by Janie McCauley, she quotes Paula:

"Yesterday, my ATTITUDE AND my mannerisms got me into trouble." (caps are mine) In my opinion, she also should have apologized to the Tour, her caddy, young fans who saw her heave clubs in person or on TV, and to golf fans in general. She is now leading the tournament because she held her emotions in check. Here is how such behavior was punished at our local course: In 1999, I was the Defending Champion in our Senior Men's Club Championship, and was playing a tough opponent in the Finals. On the 17th hole, when he had a one hole lead, he hit a poor chip shot, took his club, did a whirley bird with hit, and threw it 30 yards into a ravine, called "The Doughnut". "The hole is yours, " he said angrily, so I picked up and walked down the hill to the 18th tee. He marched into the ravine, thrashed around and finally found his wedge. I was NOT going to help him. He then beat me on the last hole, as I got too cute with my chip shot. When we went into the clubhouse, the owner asked me about the outcome,and he witnessed my behavior on the last green, where I did NOT display any temper. I shook my opponent's hand and congratulated him. After telling the owner, I went to the parking lot, and kicked the tire on my car, and cursed myself out, silently, for being a TOTAL IDIOT. The winner of the Championship automatically qualified for our local Tournament of Champions and now I could not go. A few weeks later, I learned what happened to my opponent. He went to play golf there the next day, and was told that he was SUSPENDED from play for 30 days for throwing the club on the 17th hole and setting a poor example of sportsmanship that was witnessed by the owner's son, and other players. He could not believe that he had paid for the year, and now could not play for 30 days. The owner told him, "This is my course, AND I SET THE RULES, and there is NO appeal." The word quickly spread as to what the punishment was. The point was made by the owner's action.

[worst_shot_ever]

Wow, Pez, that's an interesting story. Good on the owner.

[st0wgolf08]

As I already wrote, I agree with you about costly fines. I will say this---in today's Associated Press article by Janie McCauley, she quotes Paula:

I completely agree with the owner, If he valued his money that he spent on his membership so much, maybe he should have kept his anger in check. (no pun intended)

[Harry Longshanks]

w_s_e,

They replayed that tantrum again today and I figured out what she said. It was:

"For god's sake, how many times are you going to ignore these greens?"

In other words, she was pissed with the club selection because (she felt) that Colin wasn't factoring in the firmness of the greens when giving her a club, and her shots kept hitting the green and rolling off the back. In her defense, she did give an interview where she said she apologized to Colin. Then she complemented him several times. Not an excuse for the behavior, but an acceptable mea culpa.