Tseng tees up first test
By Lerpong Amsangiam
The Nation
Pattaya
Published on February 17, 2011
Newly crowned world No 1 Yani Tseng will be hoping Lord Brahma grants her another wish today when she tees off the 2011 season at the US$1.45 million Honda LPGA Thailand at the Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course.
The Taiwanese, who pushed South Korean Shin Jiyai down to No 2 this week, pays respect to the statue of the Hindu god at the Ratchaprasong junction every time she is in town. Aside from good health, she routinely prays for a rise to No 1 - a wish that was duly granted on Monday.
"My wishes often come true. I ask for [a No 1 ranking] every year. So I came this time to say thanks for making my wishes come true,'' said the winner of last season's Kraft Nabisco Championship and British Open.
Tseng finished the Honda LPGA third last year at 15under, six behind Japanese winner Ai Miyazato and five behind Suzann Pettersen of Norway. But despite the tag of new No 1, the 2010 Player of the Year said she felt no weight of expectation going into the LPGA opener this morning.
"I don't put too much pressure on myself. It's great to come back and see my friends and play with some great golfers. I really never expected it and I still have a long way to go. There are lots of things to learn. I will keep working hard,'' said Tseng, who won backtoback European LPGA events on her way to Pattaya.
"I'm excited. It's something new for me. I set a goal this year to be No 1 but it came so soon. I didn't expect it. But there's a long way to go, a lot of things to do. I still have to work hard and play well."
Shin, who made her name playing in the Kingdom, is returning without her signature glasses, following eye surgery in December.
"Before surgery, I was worried about the change. For 14 years I wore glasses. A big change. It's working and I'm happy with that."
Suzann Pettersen, the 2007 champion and last year's runnerup, has produced impressive results on this par72, 6,469yard course, which should once again make her a strong contender.
"This place has treated me well in the past. I'm anxious to get started. You never really know quite where your game is. Obviously, I've been working hard," said the world No 3.
"If I look back at the two tournaments we've played on this course, I'm 41underpar or more, so there have been a lot of birdies.''
Cristie Kerr, who last year lifted her second Major and became the first American to reach world No 1, wants the crown back from Tseng.
"Like everyone up here, our goal is to be No 1 in the world.
"I think the goal is to play well at every tournament and give myself a chance to be No 1. You have to win three, four, five times out here to do that. I'm going for broke this year,'' said Kerr, who for every birdie and eagle she hits will donate US$50 and $100 respectively to a breast cancer foundation.
Defending champion Miyazato, who hit a fabulous last round of nineunder to win last year, hopes to repeat the feat this week.
"I don't know how I shot nineunder on Sunday last year. But this year is different from last year. But I am still motivated to do that again,'' said the Japanese world No 6, who spent her offseason with family in Japan before jetting to training in the US.
Four Thais will be testing their mettle against the world's top 50 from today. Among them are sisters Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn, who will break their playercaddie relationship to compete together for the first time in an LPGA event.
"It will be strange not having my sister as caddie, as she knows me better than anyone. Her replacement Prajak Kraoprathum might not know me well, but he gives good advice on the game,'' said the 15yearold Ariya, who finished 30th last year. The other two Thais in the tournament are Pornanong Phatlum and Pavarisa Yoktuan.
Credit: The Nation (www.nationmultimedia.com)
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