Yani Tsang overcomes ten-year low and returns to Asian Games with left-handed putting

Yani Tseng. (File photo, provided by the Nagoya Asian Games Preparatory Committee)

[Special Correspondent Nian Miaoyun/Reporting from Nagoya] "Everyone is asking me, since I have achieved so many achievements in the golf world, why do I continue to play? But after the past 10 years, I deeply understand how much I love golf." Yani Tseng has gone through more than 10 years After a low point, she won the championship at the Wistron Open last year, and this year she once again put on the jersey of the Taiwanese team and competed in the Nagoya Asian Games. Every move became the focus. This conference specially interviewed her, asking her to share her journey along the way, and at the same time praise her influence on the international high forum.

The last time Zeng Yani participated in the Asian Games was the 2006 Duha Asian Games, when she was still an amateur. Wearing the Taiwan team jersey again after 20 years, Tseng Yani shot 71 and 69 respectively in the first two rounds, with a total of 140 shots in the two rounds, temporarily tied for 13th place.

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Recalling the 10-year slump she faced in the past, Tseng said that there was a time when she couldn't putt smoothly. "I changed a lot of things: my putter grip, my putter. I tried a thousand ways, but that's the feeling. You never know when it's going to hit. Sometimes it feels good, but you just can't figure it out. Every time I pick up the putter, I feel a little bit anxious."

Zeng Yani mentioned the situation at that time, and even her family did not dare to watch her putting on the court. "This was very difficult for my family. Every time I putted, they would turn their heads and they would be scared." She mentioned the reason why she later switched to a left-handed putter. In 2024, the new swing coach Brady RIGGS suggested that she "switch to a left-handed putter." At first, Nini laughed at this crazy idea, but in the end it became the only choice.

Tseng said: "I couldn't imagine it would work, but I'm glad I gave myself a second chance. Sometimes when I read the line, I still feel like I'm right-handed, but when I stand in front of the ball and prepare to put, I feel very comfortable." Because of this change, she has renewed hope in her career. Nini won the Wistron Women's Open on the Ladies European Tour (LET) last year, which she said felt "better than any major championship."

Now Tseng Yani is competing in the Asian Games again, and her every move has attracted attention. Her teammate Xu Weiling said in an interview, "Yani is a role model for everyone." Wang Weixuan, a member of the men's team, said, "I watched her match last year, and it really made me realize that you should never give up easily, especially when she switched to left-handed putting. It was really incredible."