[Advanced] Yani Tseng (1) (2010-02-01)

This 21-year-old pro golfer was surprised by success
台灣高球小天后曾雅妮
二十一歲的職業高球手曾雅妮對突如其來的成功感到喜出望外

Colleagues call her the Se Ri Pak of Taiwan, Annika Sorenstam used to roam the game room and gym in her Orlando, Florida, home and no female golfer has ever eclipsed the $2 million earnings mark faster.

All 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 [grew] 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.

Tseng's "drive"
"I just want to do my best" said Tseng, a native of Taiwan. "It's not, "I wanna beat Lorena [Ochoa]. 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. 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.


Vocabulary

colleague n.
someone you work with, used especially by professional people: a colleague of mine from the bank
- She discussed the idea with some of her colleagues.

roam v.
to walk or travel, usually for a long time, with no clear purpose or direction
- The dogs are allowed to roam around.
- Chickens and geese roam freely in the back yard.
- You shouldn't let your children roam the streets.

eclipse v.
to become more important, powerful, famous etc than someone or something else, so that they are no longer noticed
- The economy had eclipsed the environment as an election issue.

ascension n. [uncountable]
when someone moves to a more important or higher position or job:  his ascension to the ranks of senior management

driver n.
a type of long, thin stick with a wooden head, used in golf

tee n. in golf, the place where you begin to hit the ball at each area of play

rip n. a long shot from the tee

facet n.
one part of a subject or situation that has many parts; one of several parts of someone's character, a situation etc
- He has travelled extensively in China, recording every facet of life.

appeal to 
if someone or something appeals to you, they seem attractive and interesting

novice n.
a person who is not experienced in a situation

keen adj.
very interested, eager or wanting to do something very much