Internationals stretch lead to 8-4

A strong finish from American teenager Paula Creamer and a match-saving shot from Erica Blasberg on the 18th gave the International team an 8-4 lead over Asia after Saturday's fourball format at the weather-delayed Lexus Cup tournament.

With 12 singles matches remaining, the International team needs just 4 1/2 more points to the win the event.

The tournament featured plenty of close matches despite the Internationals recording 4-2 scores in each of the first two days.

On Saturday, Asia's fifth pairing of Jennifer Rosales and Namika Omata held a 1-up lead against Blasberg and Jill McGill going into the par-5 18th. But Blasberg, the 21-year-old LPGA rookie, caused the split when her third shot from 85 yards dropped into the cup.

"It was my ideal distance," said Blasberg. "We got it down perfect, I'm glad it worked out. It was key."

Creamer helped the Internationals even more with her solid stretch run.

The teenager and Natalie Gulbis were tied with South Korea's Jang Jeong and Candie Kung of Taiwan when Creamer's hot streak began.

Creamer had a tough start to the par-5 14th when rules officials didn't allow her to pick her ball up from an embedded lie, causing her to strike it half-stuck.

She punched out, then made a curling downhill birdie putt to give the Americans a one-up lead.

Creamer then birdied the 15th and 16th holes to finish with seven on the day and give her duo the 3 and 2 victory. The 16th was highlighted by a strong second shot that fell a foot away from the cup.

"I gave myself a lot of chances today," said Creamer. "I didn't even know I had seven birdies until later."

The Creamer-Gulbis win gave the International team, captained by Annika Sorenstam, a 7-2 advantage when lighting and heavy rain suspended play for 90 minutes.

South Korea's Gloria Park could have cut into the lead during the final match, but she missed a five-footer birdie putt on the 18th.

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