Suzhou, China, Oct 26, 2011: World number one Yani Tseng is targeting world golf’s Hall of Fame, she told reporters ahead of the Suzhou Taihu Ladies Open.
“My dream right now is to get into the Hall of Fame because there are no Chinese players in there until now,” she said in a press conference, via translation.
The 22-year-old from Chinese Taipei has earned 18 of the 27 points necessary to qualify but LPGA Tour rules require players to be active members for 10 years before they can be inducted.
LPGA players can earn one point for tour titles, winning the Vare Trophy or Rolex Player of the Year, or two points for major championships.
Tseng currently has 12 LPGA titles including five majors and has locked up the Rolex Player of the Year award twice in 2010 and 2011.
She also leads the race for her first-ever Vare Trophy for low scoring average by more than a full stroke over Cristie Kerr and could earn a 19th point if she claims Vare Trophy honors at the end of 2011.
“I’m only four years into the US LPGA, I’ve got another six to go but that’s not my main objective. What’s immediate is to try and win all the tournaments I play, whether in China, Asia, Europe or in the US,” Tseng added.
“I’d like to be alongside the legends in golf. This would certainly enhance my profile over and above my achievements playing in tournaments.”
She aims to add this week’s Suzhou Taihu Ladies Open trophy to her cabinet, but is not taking anything for granted. “When I’m on the course, I’m not focusing on scores or titles: I’m just focusing on the next shot and trying my best,” she commented.
She said she was looking forward to playing the Taihu International Golf Course in the Pro Am because her caddie had told her it was very beautiful and in great condition.
Meanwhile, Jason Sun, president of Ren Tai Sports Industry Co. Ltd, said she would certainly contribute to the development of golf in China.
He told a packed press conference: “The Suzhou Taihu Ladies Open is in its fourth year, and after evaluating its success, I happy to see that this event, which offers the highest prize money for a tournament in China, growing to an elite status. With golf included in the Olympics, I would hope that China would go for gold. The Suzhou Taihu Ladies Open has a strong field that offers the same competitive exposure to our Chinese golfers.”