By Mike Ewald, USGA

Cherry Hills Village, Colo. – While Annika Sorenstam and Michelle Wie gain an inordinate amount of attention this week at Cherry Hills Country Club, one player seems to have flown under the radar.

Many spectators over the last two days have chosen to follow Sorenstam and Wie in the practice rounds as they, and the rest of the field, prepare to take on the longest course in U.S. Women’s Open history. The 6,749-yard William S. Flynn layout could prove to be Sorenstam’s 10^th major victory or Wie’s first, but another player on the prowl is hoping to make this year’s national championship her second tour victory.

Tour rookie Paula Creamer, the 18-year-old from Pleasanton, Calif., fired a 6-under 278 to earn her first win at the Sybase Classic. Since then, she has had two top-three finishes, tying for third at the McDonald’s LPGA Championship and finishing runner-up at the Wegmans Rochester LPGA. Could she ask for any more in her rookie season?

"I set my expectations and my goals very high," said Creamer, "and I have not achieved all of them yet."

A win this week in Colorado will not come easy for Creamer, especially with 29 USGA champions in the field. One of them happens to be Wie, whose presence as the upcoming face of women’s golf does not seem to bother Creamer.

"I can only control myself and as long as I keep being in contention in tournaments, that’s the only thing that matters to me," said Creamer.

The recent high school graduate did appear to be in control as she addressed the media on Wednesday. While many fans have expressed concern about the maturity and poise of the teenagers in this year’s field, Creamer was able to laugh it off.

"Are you saying my glitter is not mature?" she said in reference to questions on her choice to use glittered body lotion.

Creamer does not need glitter to be recognized on the golf course. Her good friend and professional golfer, Casey Wittenberg, appropriately gave her the nickname "Pink Panther" because of her affinity for the color. She always wears something pink when she plays and is the only player in the field to have golf clubs with pink grips and pink shafts.

Creamer is also doing things other than winning LPGA Tour events that are commendable for such a young athlete. She is currently fourth on the tour money list and has used portions of earnings, and the $1,000 she earned for winning the Nancy Lopez award, to support junior golf.

"I love to help junior girls and boys have the opportunity to get involved in golf," said Creamer. The First Tee, a national initiative of the World Golf Foundation, has been the recipient of Creamer’s donations. "I hope that my checks can get bigger and bigger to them each week."

They just may if she can keep winning.