Putting left-handed, former World No. 1 Yani Tseng wins for the first time in nearly 12 years
For the first time in 4,306 days, Yani Tseng is a tournament winner.
The 36-year-old former World No. 1, who has won 15 LPGA titles and five major championships, captured the Wistron Ladies Open on the Ladies European Tour at Sunrise Golf and Country Club in her native Taiwan. It was her seventh LET victory.
Tseng shot 63-67 for a 14-under-par total in a week of unpredictable weather with wind, rain and fog reducing the event to 36 holes. Her last victory was in January 2014 at the Taifong Ladies Open on the LPGA of Taiwan tour. Her last LPGA title was at the 2012 Kia Classic.
“I’ve been waiting for this trophy for so long,” Tseng said. “To win this tournament in my home country and in front of my family and friends is amazing. I’ve been really emotional from this win and just shows you should never give up on your dreams.”
RELATED: Read Jill Painter-Lopez’ in-depth feature on Yani Tseng from earlier this year
Tseng’s story of perseverance is amazing. She came to the U.S. at age 15 and beat Michelle Wie in the championship match of the now defunct U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links. She was the LPGA’s rookie of the year in 2008 and player of the year in 2010 and 2011. She was No. 1 in world for 109 straight weeks from 2011-2013, the second longest streak of all time.
But then, out of nowhere and still at a young age, Tseng completely lost her game for the last decade. She struggled with everything—had the yips, hip surgeries, you name it.
Earlier this year she started working with coach Brady Riggs, who suggested she start putting left-handed. Hesitant at first, Tseng figured she didn’t have much to lose.
“Now I stand over the ball and I'm not afraid of any short putts,” Tseng said earlier this year. “The first tournament I switched to lefty, I didn't miss anything inside five feet, which is very good. I know the speed was a little bit harder but I just need to keep practicing with the speed. But the short putt, I'm not afraid anymore. I can see my line, I can putt well, and I feel like this really gives me hope to playing good golf again.”
Yseng still struggled on the LPGA this season, missing eight cuts in nine events. She tied for 63rd place at the Women’s British Open and earned $ 20,485.
Tristan Jones
But something clicked in her home country and on a course that she’s played regularly since she was 14. She made nine birdies in the opening 63 to take a three-shot lead. On Sunday in the final round, Tseng made nervy bogeys on the fifth and seventh holes, then rattled off six birdies in a seven-hole stretch. One final birdie on the par-5 home hole gave her 67 and the victory by four shots over New Zealand’s Amelia Garvey.
“It’s been a very long time since I’ve felt this,” Tseng said. “I’m so grateful for my fans, friends, and family all cheering me on. It really helped with them on the course and gave me a lot of confidence throughout the last couple of days. Until the last hole, I wasn’t sure if the scores were correct on the board. It’s been such a long time to be able to stand in this position.”
But after all the ups and downs over the years, it was well worth the wait.
