Kerr, Creamer trying to end droughts at Safeway

• By Randall Mell
• Aug 18, 2012 12:05 PM ET

While there is a lot of focus on Yani Tseng trying to return to winning form, a pair of prominent Americans eager to win again have put themselves in position to end much longer droughts this weekend at the LPGA’s Safeway Classic.

Tseng, who opened with a 2-under-par 70 Friday, is looking for her first victory in 20 weeks.

American Cristie Kerr opened with a 66, good for a tie for third, one shot off the lead. She is seeking her first victory in 110 weeks, since winning the Wegmans LPGA Championship in 2010.

Paula Creamer opened with a 68, moving her into a tie for 10^th. She is seeking her first title in 108 weeks, since winning the U.S. Open in 2010.

Until Stacy Lewis passed her this year, Kerr reigned supreme over USA golf as the highest ranked American since November of 2009. Really, though, Kerr dominated that role for a half dozen years. She’s the only American to hold the No. 1 ranking. Creamer was the top American when the rankings made their debut in 2006, and before Lewis’ emergence was the only other player besides Kerr to hold the top American ranking.

“It’s been tough,” said Kerr, 34, who had three second-place finishes a year ago and nine finishes of T-4 or better. “Last year, I had so many good tournaments and didn't get a win. This year, I played some great golf but had some inconsistencies. I feel like I am ready to win again, but I've got to do first things first and get two more solid rounds.”

Kerr won the Safeway Classic in ’08.

Creamer commented earlier in the week on her frustration of not winning.

“I think about it every day, yes,” Creamer said. “It's been two years. It's hard. This has been by far the biggest struggle I've ever had to go against, and this is my eighth year out here. It has definitely been the hardest one for me, a lot of things going off and on the golf course. I'm 26, just dealing with life in itself.”