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Yani Tseng, once the dominant force in women’s golf, captivated audiences worldwide with her remarkable talent. Her journey began in Taiwan, where this young golfer rose to prominence in her teens, achieving a historic milestone by winning five major championships before the age of 23.
However, her career faced a significant downturn due to a debilitating condition known as the yips, which crippled her putting abilities. This article delves into her inspiring comeback, which was ignited by an unconventional method: putting left-handed.
The early career of Yani Tseng
Born on January 23, 1989, in Guishan District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan, Tseng started playing golf at the tender age of five. Her early promise was evident, and with the support of her parents, she quickly made a name for herself in regional junior tournaments.
A pivotal moment in her amateur career came when she secured victory at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship, becoming the first Taiwanese golfer to win a prestigious USGA event.
Tseng turned professional and made her debut on the LPGA Tour.
Her rookie season was nothing short of extraordinary, culminating in her first major title at the LPGA Championship at just 19 years old, which earned her the coveted Rookie of the Year award. Over the next few years, she consistently showcased her talent, winning an impressive 11 tournaments, including multiple major championships.
Fall from grace and the yips
Despite her early success, Tseng faced a steep decline in her performance. A combination of injuries, swing adjustments, and mounting pressure began to erode her confidence. She found herself outside the top 500 in world rankings, a staggering fall for someone who once held the title of world number one for a total of 109 weeks—a record for the youngest golfer to achieve five major wins.
The most crippling aspect of her decline was her struggle with the yips. This neurological condition led to involuntary spasms during short putts, causing her to miss even the simplest shots. In a desperate attempt to regain her form, she sometimes deliberately missed putts by significant margins, fully aware of her inability to convert short chances. For nearly a decade, Tseng’s name was absent from the winner’s circle, and her participation in major tournaments often ended in disappointment.
A groundbreaking comeback
Yani Tseng’s path to recovery began when she decided to work with swing coach Brady Riggs. Riggs played a crucial role in helping her reestablish her fundamental mechanics while introducing a radical approach to her putting woes. He suggested that she try putting left-handed, a strategy aimed at rewiring her brain to overcome the yips.
Left-handed putting: a unique solution
To everyone’s astonishment, this unorthodox method proved effective. By adopting a left-handed grip, Tseng discovered a newfound confidence in her putting game, enabling her to break free from the mental shackles that had hindered her performance for years. She achieved a significant milestone by winning the Ladies European Tour’s Wistron Ladies Open in her home country of Taiwan, marking her first professional victory in over a decade—a moment filled with emotion and triumph.
The financial aspects of her career
At the height of her career, Yani Tseng was not only a top player on the course but also one of the highest-earning female athletes globally. Her earnings soared to between $5 million and $6 million annually, thanks to both her tournament success and lucrative endorsements from major brands such as Adidas and Rolex.
However, as her performance waned, her sponsorship deals faced reevaluation, and her income took a hit. Despite these challenges, Tseng managed to maintain financial stability through appearance fees and ongoing partnerships, particularly in Asia. With her recent victory, there are strong expectations that her marketability will rebound, rekindling the interest of global sponsors who once saw her as the face of Asian golf.
A lasting legacy
Yani Tseng’s journey is a testament to resilience and the power of reinvention in sports. Her ability to adapt and overcome adversity serves as a beacon of hope for aspiring athletes everywhere. Not only has she reclaimed her place in the sport, but she has also paved the way for future generations of golfers, inspiring young talents across Asia, including rising stars like Lydia Ko and Shanshan Feng.
In conclusion, Yani Tseng’s story, marked by both dazzling success and daunting challenges, reflects the highs and lows of a remarkable career. Her innovative approach to tackling the yips through left-handed putting stands as a powerful reminder of the importance of perseverance and adaptability in the face of adversity.
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