SINGAPORE — Her favourite colour may be pink, but American golfer Paula Creamer saw a lot of red last year, due to her poor form on the greens as she suffered her worst season statistically.

The 29-year-old slipped to her lowest ranking on the world ladder (62nd) as well as on the money list (47th) and could only watch in frustration as younger golfers such as Lydia Ko and Park Inbee racked up wins throughout the season.

But the past is the past and Creamer is confident that she will have a much better 2016 LPGA season, which kicks off next week with the US$1.4 million (S$2.01 million) Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic.

“Last year was one of my toughest years, and people have moments in their careers when they struggle,” she told the Singapore media in a phone interview yesterday.

“(But) I have worked really hard in the off-season, and I am also feeling strong mentally. I feel I am where I should be now.

“When I look back at the year, I look at my struggles, but I also saw that when I needed to perform, I did, and it shows me that I still have that killer instinct. My scores don’t really show it, but my ability on the golf course and my swing were coming around.”

Creamer said that her big goal this year is to perfect her golf swing and to have a better short game. Her swing is getting there, she declared yesterday. “My golf swing never had any result, no matter how I worked at it, and all of a sudden, I am making fewer mistakes,” she said.

Wins on the LPGA Tour aside, Creamer is also looking to add to the sole Major triumph in her career this year. Despite turning pro 12 years ago, the 2005 LPGA Rookie of the Year has only won one Major to date — the US Women’s Open in 2010. The closest she has come to winning again was when she finished joint third at the 2011 Women’s PGA Championship, and the 2012 Women’s British Open.

“Majors are obviously a huge goal of mine, so this year I want to get into the winners’ circle,” said the Florida-based golfer.

“My goal is the Olympics too, and to get into the team, I know I have to win, and get some Majors as well. I want to try to be more consistent, too. There is still so much I want to do with golf, and I’m not ready to put my clubs away any time soon.”

Another title that she wants to win is the HSBC Women’s Champions, which will be held at the Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong Course in March. She has happy memories of the tournament — after all, she won the US$1.5 million event in 2014. And in spectacular fashion — by sinking a 75ft eagle putt to win a sudden play-off against Spaniard Azahara Munoz.

“I have a lot of fond memories here, so I hope to make it good again here,” she said. “I love the golf course, I think it suits my game really well, although there may be some changes this year.”

But she knows it will not be easy, given the fine form of world No 1 Ko and No 2 Park, who have also confirmed their participation for the March 3 to 6 event, which is widely regarded as Asia’s Major.

“Looking at the strength of the field, I would have to play really well,” she said.

“Inbee is one of the best putters ever. She is just so solid, and hardly makes any mistakes, while Lydia has one of the greatest tempos of golf swings, and she can just replicate it every time.

“They definitely keep a lot of golfers motivated, and me as well, and I will need to go out there and give them a contest.”