Alan Pattullo: Yani Tseng swings into history books with fifth major, aged 22

From Glamis Castle to the Queen of Carnoustie. Yani Tseng spent the eve of the Ricoh Women's British Open at the stately pile in Angus, one of only a few players to take up the invitation to attend a pre-tournament drinks reception.

The experience persuaded her to research the castle's past on the internet, she later revealed. Yesterday, Tseng stepped into the history books herself by becoming the first golfer to win a fifth major title by the age of just 22, after she overhauled morning leader Caroline Masson to defend the title claimed last year at Royal Birkdale.

The Taiwanese golfer is only the third player to lift back-to-back British Opens. Her nerveless final round of 69 left Tseng on 16 under par for the tournament, four shots clear of the rest of the field. However, it is the quintet of majors secured so early in her career that marks her out as extra special.

Not even Tiger Woods managed this. Neither did Anika Sorenstam, who is the benchmark when it comes to achievement in the women's game. Woods claimed his fifth major title at a positively ancient 24 and seven months. Sorenstam blossomed much later. Patty Berg, who began her professional career before the LGPA tour was founded, previously held the record.

Tseng's attendance at the reception at Glamis is one reason why she is such a popular champion. As well as accepting invitations to social engagements the night before major tournaments she has other endearing qualities. Tseng combines a sunny disposition with a pleasant demeanour around the course.

In her yardage book she had written a memo to herself. "Always look forward, good posture, chin up and smile," it reminded her. She continued to pay heed to these instructions yesterday even as the pressure began to build.

The rising tension probably accounted for the 22-year-old Masson, whose six-over-par round of 78 meant she dropped six shots on the final day. Her collapse was almost as explosive as that which took place yesterday in nearby in Dundee, where four tall blocks of multi-storey flats were flattened by controlled explosion. Just as dusty vapour settled over Dundee, a grey pall hung above Carnoustie. It matched Masson's mood as she edged further and further back into the field.

However, her day ended on a bright enough note courtesy of successive birdies at the final two holes. She finished tied for fifth place with, amongst others, Catriona Matthew. "I have to learn from it," said the German. Just playing with Tseng had proved a valuable lesson in how to perform under pressure.

If she had been spooked by ghost stories of Glamis then Tseng didn't show it. She briefly shuddered at the memory of Jean Van de Velde blowing up at the 18th back in 1999. Tseng, too, held a three shot lead as she approached the last. Like the Frenchman, she used a driver off the tee, but with a far better result. "I was thinking about Jean Van de Velde," she later admitted. "I had a three-shot lead so I thought I'd better hit a good drive here to win the tournament."

She managed to execute that good drive, which is more than can be said for Matthew. Home hopes had perhaps already been dashed as the Scot teed off at the last, on eleven under par for the tournament. Sadly, Matthew veered even further off course in front of packed galleries.

Her shot off the tee found heavy rough and then her second ended up out of bounds. "Can I ask about the last hole?", an ESPN reporter checked afterwards. Matthew does not have a reputation for being difficult but many were preparing to tread on eggshells. She endured the enquiries with her usual good grace, however.

"It was great seeing so many people out there and cheering me on," she said. "I just wish they were cheering my birdies instead of my par saves." Matthew had identified what went wrong. She collected only two birdies all day, none at all in the final nine holes.

Less than an hour earlier Matthew had been Tseng's main challenger. At one stage she looked well placed to overhaul the reigning champion. She saved par at the 13th hole before, moments later, Tseng dropped a shot at the 12th and then did likewise at the next hole. Matthew was within two strokes of the leader. The margin might have been reduced to a single shot had she seized a birdie chance at the 14th. The ball lipped out. Scottish hearts dropped.

Instead, Brittany Lang finished runner-up after an unheralded charge up the leader board. The American finished four shots behind Tseng, on 12 under par, after a final round of 67. It wasn't the best score of the day, however.

This title belonged to compatriot Katie Futcher, whose remarkable eight-under-par round of 64 was made even more notable by the fact she took just 29 shots on the back nine. It raised further questions about the course's set-up. A total of 36 players finished below par in the end. Carnoustie appeared somehow diminished.

Yet while it might not have been the formidable test expected, the course still produced a fine, deserving and, not to mention, historic winner. And what more need anyone add after that?