Paula Creamer is determined to become the best player in the world, but is prepared to be patient in reaching her goal.

It has been 15 years since an American was last named the best player on the LPGA Tour but the progress of Creamer suggests it will not be long before the drought comes to an end.

Following a spectacular amateur career, the 22-year-old has racked up eight tour victories since turning professional in 2005 and was just a shot off the lead going into the final round of last year's US Open in Minnesota before eventually slipping to sixth.

Creamer made it two consecutive top-10 finishes with another sixth place in Pennsylvania earlier this month and sees the Ricoh Women's British Open, which starts tomorrow, as the potential setting for her first major title.

Creamer - currently fifth in the world - is equally confident of her chances of rising to the top of the LPGA rankings, but although her career appears to be rapidly accelerating, the Californian is not getting ahead of herself.

"It's one of my biggest goals - to be the number one American and the number one player in the world," Creamer told Press Association Sport.

"That would be a great thing, but I can't force things I just have to let them happen as they are.

"I practise really hard, I try as hard as I can and to be the number one is something I really want to do.

"I have my goals for the year or for the tournament, but I feel that performance is important every week.

"I really couldn't put a time limit on it though because you're not in control all the time - somebody plays better, or trains harder and that's it. I just want to take care of my own business."

Creamer's first task is to negotiate the blustery conditions of the links course at Royal Lytham, a challenge she is relishing.

"I feel really prepared. I love coming over here, I love these types of golf courses - it's a different mindset," she said.

"I feel like my game is right where it needs to be and it just depends on what happens out there - I hope I get some good bounces.

"I like playing in difficult conditions, I always have. I've won when it's been raining, I've won when it's been sunny. Anything can happen - you just have to go out and play what the golf course gives you."