EXCLUSIVE! Yani Tseng interview

In an exclusive interview, the World #1 and three-time Major Champion, who was in Hong Kong last month for a client day with Lacoste, her long-time sponsor, talks to Alex Jenkins about her rise to the summit of the women's game, her friendship with Annika Sorenstam and her plans for the future

With Fanling caddies during the Lacoste Hong Kong VIP Golf DayWhat's also amazing is the fact that you're still ranked number four in the world after winning two Majors this year. What's up with that?
I've been as high as number two before but you're right, I'm now back at four. This year, despite winning three times, including two Majors, I've been a little up and down performance-wise. The top three [Ai Miyazato, Suzann Pettersen and Cristie Kerr] are so consistent. That's why it's always changing. It's really close and that makes it exciting.

Your goal for 2011 is presumably to reach number one?
I'm going to be number one next year [laughs]. That's always been my goal. I'm so close. I was a bit disappointed after winning the Women's British Open that my ranking didn't change. I thought I would jump up. But I've been working so hard and I'm confident and prepared to do it. The other goal is to win the US Women's Open and get the career grand slam. That will make it a great year.

You're from Taiwan but when you're playing do you feel like you're representing all Chinese people?
Yes, I definitely do. I have always felt that way. When I first joined the LPGA the media asked me what my goal was. I told them, it's simple: become the first Chinese to win a Major. Then I won the McDonalds LPGA very soon afterwards. I was like, 'Jesus, what do I do now?' [Laughs]. But I want all Chinese people to be proud.

You were in the news recently for being offered a huge amount of money for a sponsorship deal on the condition that you change your nationality to Chinese. You haven't taken up the offer but do you feel the pressure of representing so many people?
[Pauses] I feel like I am Chinese. There are Chinese everywhere – in Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, all round the world – and I'm very proud to be Chinese. There are three of us on the LPGA Tour now. My only wish is that I can encourage more Chinese people to play golf, to make golf more popular. I'd like to do for Chinese what Se Ri Pak did for Koreans.

Pages

Click here to see the published article.