Top-ranked Yani Tseng of Tawain said she is feeling just the right combination of nerves and confidence as she seeks to defend her title at the LPGA Tour’s Northwest Arkansas Championship.
The 22-year-old is the co-leader at the US$2 million event after firing a four-under 67 in the second round on Saturday to reach a nine-under 133 total.
“I think it’s hard to not have pressure because, I mean, for sure I’ve got pressure tomorrow, defending champion and in the lead,” said Tseng, heading into the final round of the 54-hole event.
Photo: AFP
“There is going to be a little pressure, but I just want to enjoy that pressure. I know tomorrow, first couple of holes are going to be nervous. If I were not nervous, that would be a little weird. So I care,” she added.
Tseng, who has won four LPGA events this year, shares the lead with South Korea’s Amy Yang, who shot a 64 on the Pinnacle Country Club course.
Tseng’s 67 was matched by compatriot Amy Hung, who finished at four-under 138, while Taiwan’s Candie Kung shot a one-over 71 to finish the day at even-par 142.
Taylor Leon (67) is a stroke back and Stacy Lewis (69) is seven-under along with US compatriot Cristie Kerr (66), Park In-bee (65) and Jin Young-pak (68).
Tseng, the LPGA Championship and Women’s British Open winner, finished with a half dozen birdies and two bogeys, nearly acing the 160-yard 15th hole. She shot a 32 on the back nine.
“I worked on my tempo on the back nine,” Tseng said. “I got a little too fast with my tempo, but I just keep to myself, keep focused, and actually back nine I got really lucky. I had a good bounce on No. 8, good bounce on No. 4 or 5 and I have a great up and down on par three, so those three shots were important.”
Yang, who is winless on the LPGA Tour, made eagle on the par-five seventh.
“Everything was good today,” Yang said. “I was hitting the ball solid and hitting the putts solid. You know, from tee to green, I was playing good. I’m really happy about my game.”
American Lewis rolled in four birdies and is just two shots adrift of the leaders.
Michelle Wie missed the cut as she failed to fight back from a seven-over 78 in her opening round.
Additional reporting by Staff writer
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