Yani Tseng needs to bounce back at British Open
As 2012 began there was no doubting the most dominant golfer in the world. Yani Tseng had the kind of grip on the LPGA Tour that Tiger Woods used to enjoy in the men's game.
She was just 22 years old and the Taiwanese player could already boast five major titles. Tseng was the youngest player, male or female, to have won so many of the biggest tournaments in the sport.
Two of them came in 2011 as she successfully defended her Ricoh Women's British Open title and with four tournaments to spare.
There was no stopping the diminutive Tseng who began this year in a similar vein with three more Tour victories before March was over.
Tseng has described her recent form this season as "consistently bad". Photo: Getty
Yet the now 23-year-old arrives at Hoylake this week bidding for a hat-trick of British Open titles with confidence low and questions hanging over her ability to bounce back from an inexplicable slump in form.
"I've never been this consistently bad so it's a little weird for me," Tseng recently admitted.
Until this year she had missed only three cuts in her entire career but this summer suffered three in four events around the US Open where she finished in a lowly tie for 50th place.
"I started second-guessing myself and was always questioning myself," she said of the mental doubts that have crept into her game. "I have really learned a lot."
Tseng was convinced the slump was at an end when she finished 11th in the LPGA event at Pumpkin Ridge in mid-August.
"Yani is back, the new Yani is coming out now," she stated ahead of a promising start to the Canadian Open where she fired an excellent first round 66. Then Tseng slumped again, closing with rounds of 75, 74 and 74 to slip into a share of 35th place.
So we have yet to see the "new Yani" and it is now a while since we have seen the Yani of old.
Nevertheless, Tseng heads to Hoylake as the world number one and can seek consolation from the way Rory McIllroy has so spectacularly bounced back from what we now know was a mere blip earlier in the men's season.
Perhaps the shifting of the British Open (to avoid clashing with the Olympics) to September has provided better timing and an ideal stage to salvage her year.
Tseng is certainly impatient to return to the winner's circle and reassert her superiority on the women's tour. A sign of her anxiety comes with the acknowledgement of the significance of her next win.
"I think it would be my best trophy ever," said the winner of 26 titles worldwide. "I have the picture in my mind of how emotional I will feel if I win again."
At Carnoustie last year she showed a penchant for links golf and is planning a Woods-like assault on Hoylake after noting the way he triumphed in the 2006 Open at Royal Liverpool.
"Tiger always hit iron from the tees and I want to stick with the same strategy as him," Tseng said.
"It's easy to have a good season but if you want to have a great season you have got to win a major tournament."
This week's Championship represents her last chance in 2012. She will face stern opposition from all over the world.
With such strength in Asia along with plenty from the traditional heartlands of golf, the women's game draws from an extraordinary international spread.
Naturally hopes are high for home success as well. Catriona Matthew, a recent winner of the Irish Open, was the last player before Tseng to win the British.
The Scot will, no doubt, draw inspiration from compatriot Andy Murray's triumph in New York as she bids to land her second major title.
England's Melissa Reid will carry huge emotional support as she seeks her first. The Derbyshire player lost her mother in a tragic car accident earlier in the season.
It has been a magnificent year for Scotland's Carly Booth; the 20 year old has won twice on the Ladies European Tour and will attract a strong following if she can put her name on the leaderboard.
Certainly home success would be in keeping with this astonishing year for British sport, but it would also be in keeping with a 2012 that has already witnessed a thrilling GB and Ireland victory in the Curtis Cup.
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Comment number 1.
At 12th Sep 2012, Cyril The Squirrel wrote:I see Lee Westwood yet again bottled it on Sunday! Will he ever win.................................................................................................No!
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Comment number 2.
At 12th Sep 2012, Sparticus wrote:Too many comments on this Blog....calm down folks!
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Comment number 3.
At 12th Sep 2012, Edith Crispin wrote:Right British Ladies, the challenge is ON.
We've had an unimaginable summer of sporting success at the Olympics, and our appetites are whetted for more prizes. We don't see much of British golfers in this country and there was little chance of a home win in 2012 when Lytham failed to come up with the goods. Lytham was a let-down because the weather and course conditions didn't provide enough of a challenge.
I'm praying for wind and rain and sticky rough at Hoylake because that's where you -Catriona, Laura, Becky Brewerton and Mel Reid - leave the rest of the field (with the exception of the Irish and the Scandinavians) standing.
No pressure then - just bring the Ricoh home, one of you, please.
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Comment number 4.
At 13th Sep 2012, The Lion wrote:Hi Jimmy picks for Italian Open:
Martin Kaymer
Matteo Manassero
Rafa C-Bello
Sorry so late but they are here for you to see and it doesn't start til 6am our time or thereabouts!
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Comment number 5.
At 13th Sep 2012, TtT-ier wrote:#1 isn't it about time you hibernated for the winter?
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Comment number 6.
At 13th Sep 2012, TtT-ier wrote:Interesting Blog Iain and nice to see the ladies given a bit of coverage. All eyes will definitely be on Yani this week to see how she copes especially if it is wet and windy as she, and most of the americans, wont be that used to such conditions.
Like Edith I'm hoping that one of our 'own' can come through and win this week despite the pressure they will be under. The heart would hope for a Laura W but the head thinks it's more likely to be one of the Nordic ladies that come through.
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Comment number 7.
At 13th Sep 2012, WCIHIS wrote:Well done Iain for this article, always good to see the ladies out. Can't wait for the beebs coverage so I can watch my favourite Creamer play. Also interesting that Montgomery has somehow entered to get back to winning ways.
Would like to see a home winner but expect the leader board will be full of Koreans and others with asian roots.
Why the squirrell is trying to gather his nuts on here I have no idea.
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Comment number 8.
At 13th Sep 2012, Slaley wrote:Just seen Paula Creamer on TV putting out. What is that "bag" for which is round her waist?
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Comment number 9.
At 13th Sep 2012, jamesmathew wrote:Some of the ladies would do well on the mens tour. Fair play to them.
Tell me...what would happen if a man had a sex change and wanted to play on the ladies tour? Who "she" be allowed?
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Comment number 10.
At 13th Sep 2012, Edith Crispin wrote:Hi Jamesmathew
Interesting question - and closer to reality than you might think. I know of one club where a member transferred from the men's to the ladies' section, while undergoing gender re-assignment. So, in answer to your question, I suppose it COULD happen and if not, then the player might have a case for unlawful discrimination under the Equality Act.
It's a tricky area, but if Lee Westwood and Luke Donald really want to win a major then they better start getting in touch with their feminine side pretty sharpish.
I was delighted to see that swirling wind rolling around the Wirral today - it certainly shook 'em up. I'm off to see the Open myself tomorrow and can't say that I'm looking forward to the forecast gusts of 55 miles an hour. Gulp!
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Comment number 11.
At 14th Sep 2012, gbell wrote:JamesMatthew
Still waiting
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Comment number 12.
At 14th Sep 2012, jamesmathew wrote:Waiting for what?
#10....I agree...the only way Westy and Lukey can win a major is to take on the ladies off the ladies tees. But having said that...coming down the back nine on Sunday...they would prob "choke" and finish a creditable top 5 like usual. I dont know if there is any hope for them.
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Comment number 13.
At 14th Sep 2012, TtT-ier wrote:edith, you might not see much if it's gusting at 55mph. Take a few ropes and tent pegs with you to anchor yourself. ;-)
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Comment number 14.
At 14th Sep 2012, The Lion wrote:And if you don't anchor yourself Edith you might end up getting an aerial view so could land yourself a new job commentating for the Beeb! :)
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