Time for Yani Tseng to toughen up
Nothing has been as difficult in Yani Tseng’s career as coping with fans’ attention, because the star golfer is facing a worst performance slump these days.
With the 2012 LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) season having concluded, the debate on Tseng’s possible comeback in the new season has been raging. But the current world number
one appears incredibly calm, playing down most of criticism regarding her lacklustre stint.
Tseng had been playing well during the 2011 season, pulling off impressive shows in most of the tournaments she participated in. She even made a strong start to her 2012 campaign, notching
up three titles early in the year.
Tseng first won the Honda LPGA Thailand 2012, which kept the star golfer in the limelight. She then participated in the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup 2012, defeating South Korean Na Yeon
Choi and Ai Miyazato by one stroke.
However, winning three tournaments could not help her maintain momentum later in the season.
The new season will present plenty of challenges to Tseng because she has shown on several occasions that she is capable of making a surprise comeback.
When Tseng’s game went into meltdown after last victory at the Kia Classic 2012, it seemed like that it would be long time before the LPGA titan could reshape her game and get back on track.
In order to avoid such a devastating situation Tseng is in at the moment, she will have to end her winning drought. But observers say that it will be difficult for the Taiwanese star to
dispel psychological pressure and win over her fans’ favour again.
Another important factor that Tseng will have to keep in view is a surprise comeback of American stars like Stacy Lewis and Suzann Pettersen.
Since South Korean and other Asian contenders have snatched most of the top positions in the Women’s World Golf Rankings, Americans appear to be taking their game more aggressively than
ever before.
Tseng is 23 years old and has plenty of time and golf before her. Her playing style is as strong as it was during the 2011 season, but learning how to hold her nerve on the course will be
her top priority in the 2013 season.
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