Women's golf: Yani Tseng is toast of Taipei

Published on Monday 1 August 2011 16:19

YANI Tseng, the 22-year-old Taiwanese golfer who won the Women's British Open for the second straight year at Carnoustie on Sunday, is fast becoming the toast of Taipei and the rest of her home island.

Tseng defeated American Brittany Lang by four strokes to become the youngest player - male or female - to capture a fifth major title. Tseng is also only the third player to win consecutive women's British titles, joining Sherri Steinhaurer (1998, 1999) and Debbie Massey (1980, 1981).

Yesterday, her victory dominated the front pages of Taiwanese newspapers, with all four Chinese-language dailies featuring front-page photographs of her lifting the trophy. Cable news stations also repeatedly replayed her big moment in Scotland and lifting the trophy triumphantly.

The mass circulation Apple Daily wrote on the front page, "Ni is great," while United Daily News chimed in that she had rewritten history.

Tseng told Apple Daily after the tournament that she is hoping to get some rest after returning to Taiwan later this week. "I want to get some good sleep and then eat properly," she said. "I miss Taiwanese food very much."

Tseng's spectacular performances in recent years have helped return interest to golf in Taiwan and her scheduled participation at an LPGA tournament in suburban Taipei in late October is expected to draw a huge local turnout.