Taiwan golden girl Tseng Yani is more used to communicating in Chinese than English, but as world No.2 she has had to adapt quickly.
The 20-year-old burst onto the scene last year and is now second only in the LPGA pecking order to Mexico’s Lorena Ochoa, and that means media attention.
Rather than fine-tuning her game in the off-season, her focus has been on improving her language skills to better cope with the inevitable fame that comes with being one of the best in the business.
PHOTO: EPA
“I worked on speech, I worked on talking to the media,” she said ahead of the HSBC Champions in Singapore this week when asked what aspects of her game she had concentrated on.
BETTER
“I didn’t speak very good English and some of my sentences; I needed to make them better. I hope I can now speak to the media more and tell them how I think,” Tseng said.
“Of course when I speak Chinese it’s easier, so I’ve been writing down some of the things I want to say and I’ve been practicing them,” she said.
Tseng hopes it will take the pressure off when she faces the media, where questions are invariably in English.
“Yeah, that’s right. That was my coach’s idea. Sometimes I was worrying about the press conferences or interviews, because I don’t speak a lot of English,” she said.
“And I do feel it has taken some pressure off me, because now I don’t care. I can just play golf. I don’t worry that I have to talk to anybody,” Tseng said.
“I’m way better than last year. Every time after a press conference I still ask some people if I did good. I’m always happy if I get some advice,” she said.
Tseng was voted Rookie of the Year last year after winning one LPGA tournament and finishing inside the top 10 in nine others.
REFRESHED
Feeling refreshed after spending the Lunar New Year at home in Taiwan, she is ready to build on her inaugural season starting in Singapore this week at a tournament dubbed the ‘Major of Asia.’
But she is still finding it hard to believe how quickly she has raced through the rankings.
“I don’t believe I’m world No. 2 because it’s happened very fast and, I don’t know, I’ll just try to be myself,” she said.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely