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Yani Tseng pockets
11th title of the year in China
AFP and Staff Writer, with CNA, SUZHOU, CHINA
World No. 1 Yani Tseng (´¿¶®©g) cantered to her 11th title at the Suzhou Taihu
Ladies Open yesterday after a blistering final round gave her a seven-shot
victory.
The 22-year-old Taiwanese finished the 18th in style, pulling-off a birdie from
a bunker position to the delight of the 5,000 fans.
Tseng¡¦s final-round six-under 66 gave her a 16-under total after the three
rounds to triumph by seven shots over Sweden¡¦s Pernilla Lindberg.
Defending champion Lee-Anne Pace and Melissa Reid were joint third after
finishing with 208.
¡§Today, I made a lot of putts. I proud of my achievement. I don¡¦t have a secret
recipe for winning tournaments, but just exercise patience, practice and
learning from mistakes,¡¨ said Tseng, who pocketed 45,000 euros (US$62,550).
Tseng made six birdies, beginning with three on the spin from the fifth hole.
She then picked up strokes on the 15th and 16th, and ended her round with
another birdie on the 18th.
She expressed gratitude to the thousands of fans who have been captivated by her
stunning rise to the top of the rankings, but pleaded with her supporters to
make less noise when she is taking her shots.
¡§It¡¦s good, I¡¦m now used to thousands of fans following me, but the only setback
is the clicking of cameras when I start to execute my swing,¡¨ she said. ¡§I know
the fans are very excited, but they must learn to keep silent when a player is
taking her shot.¡¨
On Saturday, Tseng revealed for the first time that she is interested in
entering a USPGA Tour event to learn from her male peers.
¡§If an opportunity presents itself, I would like to play in a PGA tournament to
learn more from male golfers,¡¨ the Taiwanese star said after her second round.
Some pundits have recently suggested that Tseng take her immense talent to the
USPGA Tour. Prominent LPGA players, such as retired Swedish ¡§golf queen¡¨ Annika
Sorenstam and Michelle Wie of the US have played in USPGA Tour events, but
neither made the cut in any of the tournaments they played.
Yahoo Sports writer Shane Bacon said earlier this week that Tseng should not be
discouraged by those results because her ability to combine distance and
short-game skills sets her apart from Sorenstam and Wie.
¡§She hits it long, makes a lot of putts and seems downright dominant over
women¡¦s golf right now,¡¨ said Bacon, who felt Tseng needs more attention because
she is too good not to be a bigger story. ¡§Playing on the PGA Tour might just
help her achieve that needed spotlight.¡¨
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