Patience a priority for Pink Panther at Mission Hills

RANCHO MIRAGE, California (Reuters) - Patience will be Paula Creamer's watchword at this week's Kraft Nabisco Championship where she will be bidding to win her first grand slam title.

Twelve months ago, the American paid the price for an over-aggressive approach in the final round and she is eager to make amends at Mission Hills Country Club in the opening women's major of the year.

"My patience got in the way on Sunday last year by trying to force things when, in reality, I didn't need to," the 21-year-old told reporters on Tuesday during preparation for Thursday's opening round.

"I started the day at three under and that's what ended up winning. So if I just would have gone out and played my own game instead of trying to force things, I would have been more in contention."

Creamer, affectionately known as the 'Pink Panther' because of her favorite golfing attire, closed with a six-over-par 78 at Mission Hills last year to share 15th place, six strokes behind winner and fellow American Morgan Pressel.

"I remember trying to just force things all the time, just trying to hit it close instead of trying to make pars and maybe make a 25-footer," she added.

"I'm constantly reminded by that and I think it's kind of a negative thing but it's a positive of knowing anything can happen on this golf course."

Creamer, the LPGA rookie of the year in 2005, is flattered to be considered one of the best players in the game who is yet to clinch a major title.

MAJOR ABILITY

"I think it's nice that I have that ability in people's eyes to win majors as much as they believe in me to do that," she said. "That's exciting.

"At the same time, I'm trying my hardest. It's not like I want to sit here without a major win. That's something I've always wanted to do and to be the No. 1 player in the world is something that I want to work as hard as I can at to get.

"I know if I win a major and I win some more tournaments this year, I'll have a chance at that eventually."

Creamer has already produced winning form this season, clinching her fifth LPGA title at the Fields Open in Hawaii in February.

"I've been hitting the ball really well and I changed my putter last week," she said. "And I've got one tournament (win) under my belt, which is something that you need to have confidence-wise. I feel really good going into this week.

"The most important part is not getting too far ahead of myself," added the Californian, who has posted three top-10 finishes in the majors.

"It's just a matter of timing and being patient. I make a lot of pars and a lot of birdies and I just have to eliminate those bogeys."

(Editing by Peter Rutherford)