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Tseng eyes major after Kia Classic triumph

Updated: 2012-03-27 08:08
( China Daily)

Tseng eyes major after Kia Classic triumph

Tseng Yani of Taiwan reacts to her final putt on the 18th green to win the Kia Classic on Sunday in Carlsbad, California. [Photo/Agencies]

Minutes after wrapping up her second straight LPGA Tour victory and third of the season, Tseng Yani was looking ahead to the first major championship of the season.

"I can't wait to start on Thursday," the top-ranked Taiwan star about the Kraft Nabisco Championship.

On Sunday, in the Kia Classic, she closed with a 2-under 70 for a six-stroke victory. She finished at 14-under 274 on La Costa's Legends Course and has had at least a share of the lead after all eight rounds the past two weeks.

"Today the first hole, I just kind of felt like every day is the same," Tseng said. "I didn't feel like today was Sunday. I didn't feel like I had a 3-shot lead. I just focused on playing one shot at a time. I think I did a good job to just kind of focus on myself."

At 23, Tseng became the second youngest player to reach 15 LPGA Tour victories. Nancy Lopez was 22 when she hit the mark.

Tseng won the LPGA Founders Cup last week in Phoenix and also won the LPGA Thailand in February. She led the tour last season with seven victories - including major victories in the LPGA Championship and Women's British Open - and finished the year with 12 titles.

"I think it is her work ethic," said Brittany Lincicome, 11 shots back at 3 under. "She has put a lot of effort into being No 1. She has definitely raised the bar for the rest of us."

South Korea's Yoo Sun-young had a 71 to finish second.

"I think I played pretty good," Yoo said. "I just didn't make the short ones out there. It was a little too bumpy. She (Tseng) played great. There is nothing I can say. Yeah, it was fun to watch."

Feng Shanshan from Chinese mainland shot a 67 - the best round of the day - to tie for third with South Korea's Shin Ji-yai at 7 under. Shin had a 74.

Associated Press in California

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