Taiwan's Yani Tseng during the final round of the 2011 Women's British Open
At 22, Taiwan's Yani Tseng is the youngest female golfer ever to win 5 Majors (Tiger did it at 24). After her recent win at the Women's British Open, she returned to her homeland, Taiwan, for a break. In Taipei, TIME contributor Natalie Tso chatted — in English — with the LPGA's top golfer about making history, mental toughness, and the color pink.
What was the first thing that went through your mind when won your fifth Major?
I felt very excited. It was an honor to be a part of it. I didn't think I'd win one Major, but now I have 5 Majors in 4 years so it's a very exciting time for me, for sure. I feel like my career is just getting started.
What's your next goal?
For this year, it's just to improve my skills. I want to improve my bunker, fairway and putting status because that's been my weakness over the last three years. If I can just focus on this, then everything else will come.
How do you train yourself to be mentally tough during tournaments?
You know I just keep telling myself 'I can do it, I can do it.' You know when you step on the number one tee, you want to feel like you're the best golfer in the world because that's the confidence you need to beat the golf course, to beat the other player. If I don't have a good round, I still feel like, OK, tomorrow I still have a good chance, even if I'm ten shots back. You never know until the last ball drops into the hole.
How does it feel to be back home?
I'm just so happy to see my friends and fans in Taiwan, cause that's where I'm from. Growing up, it didn't matter how well I played, because they always supported me. You know golf is very lonely. When I'm in the States, I feel like if I just think about Taiwan, my friends, my fans, I won't feel like I'm alone.
Do you think that children in Asia should be encouraged to be more devoted to sports?
I think so. Korea and Japan have already improved a lot. They recognized that if your athletes are strong, your country is strong, too. Taiwan has many talented players, but we need more support.
What do you like most about American culture?
They always encourage you, but sometimes a little too much. Sometimes I feel I had a bad shot, and my coach says, 'No, it's a good shot!' And I say 'Don't lie to me, just tell me it's a bad shot!' Then he says, 'It's a good shot! It's just one shot, you don't have to worry about it.'
Do you think there's a big difference in how people treat female and male golf players?
I think so, because there are more people watching the men. With Tiger Woods, you know everyone is watching. But I think interest in women's golf is getting better too. In the United States we had so many people come out to cheer for us.
I know you're close to Annika Sorenstam. What do you admire most about her?
She's my role model. She helped golf a lot, helped golf become famous, and she helped a lot of juniors playing golf.
I heard pink is your favorite color?
Starting this year, it's kind of become my lucky color because, before if I wore pink on Sunday, I always played badly. But this is a new year, so I thought I should make a change. I said, 'Let's wear pink, it looks better and brighter on me.' So, I just started wearing pink and I won the first four tournaments of the year and I thought, wow, this works pretty good!'