The No. 2-ranked player lives in Annika Sorenstam's former house, has made $2 million.
Colleagues
call her the Se Ri Pak of Taiwan, Annika Sorenstam used to roam the
game room and gym in her Orlando, Fla., home and no female golfer has
ever eclipsed the $2 million earnings mark faster.
All 20-year-old Yani Tseng is doing is trying to keep up with her ascension to the No. 2 world ranking since turning pro in 2007.
All 20-year-old Yani Tseng is doing is trying to keep up with her ascension to the No. 2 world ranking since turning pro in 2007.
"I feel like I grow up too fast," Tseng said with a smile. "Everything I didn't expect."
She has eight top-10 finishes in 14 starts, including a win at the LPGA Corning Classic in May. And, she sits No. 2 on the money list behind Jiyai Shin.
The woman Tseng looks up at in the world rankings, Lorena Ochoa, still has a cushion there, but a win this week could propel Tseng into the discussion of unseating Ochoa by year's end.
"I just want to do my best" said Tseng, a native of Taiwan. "It's not, "I wanna beat Lorena. I want to be No. 1'."
One area in which Tseng is No. 1 is with the driver. She's the biggest hitter from the tee on the LPGA Tour with a 273-yard average rip, and shouldn't have trouble navigating the 6,740-yard Old Course this week for the 64th U.S. Women's Open at Saucon Valley Country Club. Play begins Thursday.
Distance is one facet of Tseng's game that appeals to even novice golf fans.
"They're all impressed with how far she hits," Tour player In-Kyung Kim said.
But take the clubs out of Tseng's hands and she still has the style and image to attract followers.
Keen on Twitter, Tseng tweets about last night's Korean supper, her brand new high heels and everything in between.
"She is herself on and off the golf course," NBC golf analyst Dottie Pepper said in June. "She's a really fun kid to hang out with, and her enthusiasm, her work ethic is what really does set her apart. You look at her, incredible athlete, wants to win, whether she's playing you on the pool table or like standing up there at the 16th hole at Corning and saying, "OK. Give me the driver. I'm going for it.' She's a real breath of fresh air.
"Her emotions stand out so much," Pepper added. "She genuinely is appreciative of where she is, and she's just a great kid."
When she can travel back to Taiwan -- twice a year -- all she wants to do is relax because she's so busy with junior clinics and teaching kids about her experience playing golf in America.
"She's one of -- like Se Ri Pak before -- she's in Taiwan, same way, she's like a role model for the Taiwanese," Kim said. "That's amazing that she can inspire a lot kids back home."
Then again, who could blame her for not wanting to leave her cozy home in sunny Florida?
A homeowner at 20, Tseng bought Sorenstam's Orlando residence in April. There was a catch, though.
"I still feel like this is Annika's house," Tseng said. "Before she left, she said, "You have to fill all the trophy cases."'
She has eight top-10 finishes in 14 starts, including a win at the LPGA Corning Classic in May. And, she sits No. 2 on the money list behind Jiyai Shin.
The woman Tseng looks up at in the world rankings, Lorena Ochoa, still has a cushion there, but a win this week could propel Tseng into the discussion of unseating Ochoa by year's end.
"I just want to do my best" said Tseng, a native of Taiwan. "It's not, "I wanna beat Lorena. I want to be No. 1'."
One area in which Tseng is No. 1 is with the driver. She's the biggest hitter from the tee on the LPGA Tour with a 273-yard average rip, and shouldn't have trouble navigating the 6,740-yard Old Course this week for the 64th U.S. Women's Open at Saucon Valley Country Club. Play begins Thursday.
Distance is one facet of Tseng's game that appeals to even novice golf fans.
"They're all impressed with how far she hits," Tour player In-Kyung Kim said.
But take the clubs out of Tseng's hands and she still has the style and image to attract followers.
Keen on Twitter, Tseng tweets about last night's Korean supper, her brand new high heels and everything in between.
"She is herself on and off the golf course," NBC golf analyst Dottie Pepper said in June. "She's a really fun kid to hang out with, and her enthusiasm, her work ethic is what really does set her apart. You look at her, incredible athlete, wants to win, whether she's playing you on the pool table or like standing up there at the 16th hole at Corning and saying, "OK. Give me the driver. I'm going for it.' She's a real breath of fresh air.
"Her emotions stand out so much," Pepper added. "She genuinely is appreciative of where she is, and she's just a great kid."
When she can travel back to Taiwan -- twice a year -- all she wants to do is relax because she's so busy with junior clinics and teaching kids about her experience playing golf in America.
"She's one of -- like Se Ri Pak before -- she's in Taiwan, same way, she's like a role model for the Taiwanese," Kim said. "That's amazing that she can inspire a lot kids back home."
Then again, who could blame her for not wanting to leave her cozy home in sunny Florida?
A homeowner at 20, Tseng bought Sorenstam's Orlando residence in April. There was a catch, though.
"I still feel like this is Annika's house," Tseng said. "Before she left, she said, "You have to fill all the trophy cases."'
And none would please Tseng more than the sterling silver cup handed out Sunday.
"This is always my dream," Tseng said of winning the U.S. Open. "This is the tournament I really want to win. All the top players are here."
"This is always my dream," Tseng said of winning the U.S. Open. "This is the tournament I really want to win. All the top players are here."
