Yani Tseng wins Kia Classic
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Top-ranked Yani Tseng won the Kia Classic on Sunday for her second straight LPGA Tour title and third in five events this year, closing with a 2-under 70 for a six-stroke victory.
"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 three-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."
The 23-year-old Taiwanese star led wire-to-wire and finished at 14-under 274 on La Costa's Legends Course. She became the second-youngest player to reach 15 LPGA Tour win. Nancy Lopez was 22 when she reached the mark.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}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 worldwide 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 Sun Young Yoo had a 71 to finish second.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"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."
Shanshan Feng shot a 67 — the best round of the day — to tie for third with South Korea's Jiyai Shin at 7 under. Shin had a 74.
Shin began the round with a three-stroke lead over Shin. The straight-hitting Shin birdied the second hole to pull within one, but struggled with her putter, missing par ties of 3 feet or closer on Nos. 6, 12 and 15.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Tseng chipped in for birdie on the par-4 fifth and also birdied the par-4 ninth. She made a 15-foot birdie putt on the par-4 15th and took a six-stroke lead when Shin bogeyed the par-4 16th.
Tseng had a three-putt bogey from 30 feet on the final hole, her only three-putt green of the week.
The Kraft Nabisco Championship, the first major of the year, is next week at Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage. Last year, Tseng had the 54-hole lead, but closed with a 74 and lost to Stacy Lewis. It was the last time in seven events that Tseng has lost going into the final round with the lead.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I was very, very close last year," Tseng said. "But when I look back, I was very happy that I didn't win because that's why I'm learning. If you keep winning, you don't know what you're going to learn.
"Last year was a huge experience for me, and I'm just heading into next week and I'm look forward to it. I know what I'm going to do and still play one shot at a time, be patient, and I love that golf course. The golf course suits me pretty well and suits my game. I can't wait to start on Thursday."