Tseng looks to cap 2011 with victory

ORLANDO, Florida (AFP) ― Two-time LPGA player of the year Yani Tseng hopes to put the finishing touches on the finest season of her career with a win at the season-ending CME Group Titleholders event.

The 22-year-old Tseng heads into the tour’s season-ending tournament having already secured the POY title for the second straight season.

“I’ve really enjoyed this year,” Tseng said. “I’ve had a great year. I am proud of myself the way I have improved.”

World No. 1 Tseng, who will be making the 101st start of her career, will face stiff challenges for the $500,000 first-place prize from the likes of world No. 2 Suzann Pettersen of Norway, Britain’s Catriona Matthew, South Korean Pak Se-ri, Sweden’s Maria Hjorth and American Cristie Kerr.

Other notables include Michelle Wie and 2011 rookie of the year Seo Hee-kyung of South Korea.

The event begins Thursday and features a field of 66 elite players who qualified as the top three finishers in each of the 22 LPGA Tour events this year.

Tseng has 12 career tour wins, including a tour-leading seven victories this year.