SPORTS> China
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SPORTS> China
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Rising Feng hungry for maiden victory
By Chen Xiangfeng (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-12-24 10:41 Delivering a speech on behalf of Chinese players, hounded by fans for signatures and group photos and with her name emblazoned across headlines, Feng Shanshan has enjoyed a meteoric rise to stardom thanks to an outstanding rookie campaign on the US LPGA Tour. It's a different story from last year's Orient China Ladies Open in Xiamen in southeast China's Fujian province, where Japan LPGA tour star Zhang Na hogged the limelight while the then 18-year-old Feng spent most of her time practicing with her father.
"Yes, I noticed the difference, I'm happy to be noticed and supported by more fans and media," smiled Feng, who finished the 2008 season 36th on the LPGA money list. "I hope there will be more local stars like Zhang Na and me. It will definitely draw more attention to women's golf and help develop the sport in China." Feng aims to become the "Tiger Woods" of women's golf. "LPGA needs an icon like Tiger Woods in the men's world. In the PGA Tour, the competitions have only two differences - they have Tiger or not. Tournaments with Tiger will have the most spectators and TV viewers. "It's the same in China. Ladies competitions need big stars in order to draw sponsors, fans and TV viewers. So apart from the LPGA tour, I will try to compete in domestic events as much as possible. Women's golf just started in China and needs high-ranked star players to join in." Such confidence will undoubtedly help propel the former three-time China amateur champion to greater things in the professional arena. After missing 10 cuts in her first 11 starts stateside, she registered a dramatic turnaround with five top-six or better finishes in the second half of the season to easily retain her playing card with US$472,758 in earnings. "I played a lot of tournaments this year in America. That was a real learning curve for me - learning what it takes to be a pro," Feng said.
"I'm getting more mature and know how to adjust myself in the competition." Coming into the weekend's tournament from a layoff, Feng was not at her best and played terribly in the opening round, but rallied in the final two to finish fifth and the best of the local contingent. "After the LPGA season, I had a break and did not train. But I'm glad I could get back on track after the first round. I really benefited a lot from experiences in the LPGA." Eager for first win The Guangzhou native did not live up to expectations to win the tournament in Xiamen but was pleased with her rapid progress. "I've played in this tournament since the beginning (in 2006) and I've never even finished in the top five. There are so many good players from Korea, Taiwan and Thailand," said Feng, who finished equal seventh last year. "Some of them even played in the LPGA and proved themselves with big wins." Feng, whose best result is second at September's Bell Micro LPGA Classic, also sounded her determination to win her first title as a pro in 2009. "China Ladies Open is always a lucky place for competitors. I'm sure my first win in LPGA will come soon." The Open has brought good fortune for Asian golfers after two-time defending champion Shin Ji-yai of Korea and Taiwanese Tseng Yani had career breakthroughs after impressive performances at last year's event. Shin won the 2008 Women's British Open, catapulting her into the top ten of the Women's World Golf Rankings. It also gained her entry into the 2008 ADT Championship, which she won with a score of 70 in the final round. In 2009, Shin will be a rookie on the LPGA Tour. Like Feng, Tseng turned professional in January 2007. After finishing sixth in the final LPGA Qualifying Tournament in December 2007, Tseng earned full playing privileges on the LPGA Tour this year. In June, she claimed her first LPGA tour victory - the LPGA Championship - to become the first player from Taiwan to win an LPGA major tournament. At just 19, she was also the youngest player to win the LPGA Championship and the second-youngest player to win an LPGA major. Feng shrugs off any comparisons with Shin and Tseng, saying she's yet to reach her prime. "I'm one and two years younger than them," she noted. "I have had a very successful debut season in LPGA. Once the first win comes, more will follow." |
