TAIPEI, August 1, 2011 (AFP) - Taiwan's president and media hailed golfer Yani Tseng on Monday after she came from behind to defend her title at the Women's British Open at Carnoustie.
The 22-year-old secured her fifth major -- the youngest player to achieve the feat -- with a final round 69 to finish on 16 under par on Sunday, consolidating her position at the top of the world rankings.
In a congratulatory message, President Ma Ying-jeou hailed Tseng as the "glory of Taiwan," saying that she "strived for global fame for the country and deserves praise".
Her victory made headlines in all four Chinese-language local dailies, which featured front page photographs of her with the trophy, and dominated the island's various cable news networks.
It was Tseng's second major of the season -- after she won the LPGA Championship by 10 shots last month -- and extended her lead at the head of the world rankings.
Tseng started the final round two shots behind Caroline Masson, but with the young German succumbing to the pressure, she took the lead by the time she had made her second birdie of the day at the long sixth.
She won by a comfortable four shots from American Brittany Lang, who closed with a 67.