Golf-Inspirational chat from Sorenstam helps Tseng take lead (Reuters)
July 30, 2010
By Elspeth Burnside
SOUTHPORT, England, July 30 (Reuters) – A pep talk fromgolfing great Annika Sorenstam spurred Taiwan’s Yani Tseng tograb a commanding four-shot lead in the second round of thewomen’s British Open on Friday.
The 21-year-old Florida resident, who bought former worldnumber one Sorenstam’s house in Orlando, carded a secondstraight 68 before Royal Birkdale was deluged by rain.
“I asked her (Annika) how I could become the world numberone and she taught me a lot,” fifth-ranked Tseng told reporters.“She knows that I am a very aggressive player but she told methat I had to play smarter.”
Tseng took on board the Swede’s advice and sunk five birdiesin the second round.
She pulled off a great escape at the par-five 15th, whereshe carved her first tee shot into the rough and hit an evenwilder provisional. But fortune was again on her side as shefound the first ball and rescued a par.
DETERMINED TSENG
After reaching the halfway point on eight-under-136, she isdetermined to stay in front of the chasing pack.
“I’ve never led a major in the early rounds before. I’mgoing to try and lead all the way this week,” the twice majorwinner told reporters.
South Korea’s Amy Yang (71) along with Americans CristieKerr (67) and Brittany Lincicome (71) shared second place onfour under.
World number one Shin Jiyai, who carded a 71 in the worst ofthe weather, was also still in the hunt on two under.
U.S. Open champion Paula Creamer aggravated a thumb injuryhitting out of the rough at the 17th but survived the cut by ashot after a 74 took her to four over par.
But there was no lucky escape for holder Catriona Matthew.The Scot’s challenge ended before the weekend after she ran upan embarassing 10 at the par-four 13th.
After driving into a bramble bush, she hit a third shot intodeep rough and attempted three hacks before taking a penaltydrop and making a chip and two putts.
“Having a 10 and missing the cut is not the way I wanted todefend the title,” said the 40-year-old Scot. “I was playing sowell on the range but couldn’t take the same game on to thecourse.”
(Editing by Pritha Sarkar; To query or comment on this storyemail sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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