• NY Sports Journalism, Tuesday, July 13, 2010 11:23 AM

Paula Creamer, who won the 2010 U.S. Women's Open, is vying with Alexis Thompson, Michelle Wie, Natalie Gulbis and others to fill the lead marketing role at the Ladies Professional Golf Association following the retirements of Lorena Ochoa and Annika Sorenstam, Barry Janoff reports. Sorenstam was earning close to $12 million annually from endorsements when she retired, according to analysts, who estimate Ochoa was taking in about half that amount.

Gulbis and Creamer are in the $3-$5 million range; Pak and Thompson earn about $2-$3 million each. Another option is Se Ri Pak, who won two of the PGA tour's four major championships in her first year of 1998. She has signed a deal to represent Hilton Worldwide in various marketing efforts on and off the golf course.

The key for Alexis Thompson, who turned pro this year at the age of 15, will be some victories, analysts say. Michelle Wie who was 16 when she turned pro in 2005 amidst much fanfare, has earned about $12-$15 million from deals with McDonald's, Kia, Nike and Omega, but she has not yet been so successful on the pro greens.

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