Yani Tseng, 22, the reigning Ricoh Women’s British Open Champion and 2010 Rolex Player of the Year, ascended to the top of the Rolex Rankings for the first time in her still blossoming career when the Rolex Rankings were officially announced last Monday (14.02.11).
Tseng who has holds the crown of the 2009 LPGA Championship and the 2009 Kraft Nabisco, along with the 2010 Ricoh Women’s British Open, said her goal at the start of the year was to be ranked the best player in the world. She advanced from No. 5 to No. 2 with victory at the Australian Open a fortnight ago and completed the journey at the ANZ RACV Ladies Masters at Royal Pines last week.
The trick now, she says, is staying there. Since Ochoa retired on top in May last year, Shin, Ai Miyazato of Japan and American Cristie Kerr have assumed and lost the mantle. "It is so soon," said Tseng. "I wasn't expecting it as quickly as this. I still have another 10 months to go. I just need to be very patient and keep working hard."
Back in August 2010, Tseng held off a resilient Katherine Hull of Australia to win the Ricoh Women's British Open Championship at Royal Birkdale by a single stroke. The win at a rain swept Royal Birkdale, gave Tseng not only her third major but she also became the youngest woman to win so many.
Tseng carried a four shot advantage over Hull into the final round and she maintained that lead at the turn. But, when the Taiwanese player bogeyed the 10th and Hull birdied the 11th and 13th, the gap was reduced to just one.
On the final hole, Tseng's drive found a fairway bunker from where she could only blast out some 40 yards. Hull went for the green in two, firing in an excellent approach that ran just through the putting surface.
Tseng failed to find the green with her third and it looked as though Hull would close the gap. But, the Australian fluffed her chip from the back of the green and it came up 20 feet short. Tseng putted up and left herself a six-foot putt for par. When Hull missed her birdie effort, Tseng had a putt to win the title. She checked the line - it was dead straight - she made a confident stroke and rolled the ball home.
This year’s tournament will see the 2010 champion return to defend her title at the famous Carnoustie Golf Links. Having previously hosted The Open Championship on seven occasions, the 2010 Senior Open Championship and being one of the three courses hosting the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on the European Tour, Carnoustie is no stranger to the biggest golfing events and this is the first time the Ricoh Women’s British Open will be battled out over the historic course.
Delighted to be staging another of golf's majors, Graeme Duncan, general manager of Carnoustie Golf Links commented "we went down to Birkdale last year to have a look and it is a big event," Carnoustie are not resting on their laurels, as evidenced by a significant investment in a new pro centre.
The 1,000 square metre building will house a professional's shop, locker-rooms and toilet facilities. It will also have a viewing gallery that looks out over the golf course and is designed to be used by both golfers and members of the general public.
The 2011 Ricoh Women’s British Open is all set to be another fantastic tournament. Be sure to watch the world’s best women players showcasing their talents when the Championship gets under way on the famous links course on the 28th of July.
