Can Pettersen begin her chase of Tseng?
BY Bruce Young | LPGA Tour | 2012 ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open | Preview | 08 Feb 2012
Much of the focus at this week’s ISPS Handa Australian Women’s Open is on the World number one Yani Tseng and how the Taiwanese star and this elite field of female professional golfers will handle the subtleties and intrigue of Royal Melbourne’s Composite course.
The world number two Suzann Pettersen, however, while not a regular visitor to Australia, finished runner-up after a playoff to Karrie Webb at the Australian Women’s Open at Yarra Yarra in 2002.
That year was her only playing visit to Australia but that she was able to produce such a good result in her first visit to Melbourne suggests that she does not mind the sandbelt courses and that she could again be a factor this week.
“The reason I am here this week is that I really wanted to play this course,” said the Norwegian today. “I think it will be a great test straight off the bat. It will get your focus and attention very quickly.”
“I watched it all,” added Pettersen when asked if she had seen the Presidents Cup played at Royal Melbourne. “I can’t wait to putt these greens. I found it fun to see the guys struggle as much as they did here. You have to take what the course gives you each day. I know it can change drastically from morning to afternoon. I think the forecast is fairly steady with the wind coming out of the south. Hopefully it will be fairly consistent.
“The Presidents Cup was fantastic. It is so different to see it in person after the TV. The No. 1 green did not look as severe on TV. I know they talked about it being severe but it did not look it.
“This is the one course where I am hardly hitting any drivers. I am hitting driver on the par fives. You don’t have to hit driver on the par fours. It is putting the ball in a good spot on the fairway. You can literally try to hit to the middle of the green on every hole. You can take your chances when you feel you have a decent club in your hand.
“The risk/reward here can be quite painful if you are too aggressive. Like I said, you have to play whatever the course gives you. I think it is a great test. I have not practised or played on a course like this over winter. Back in Florida it is softer and all carry. Here it is more links. It is a huge adjustment to come in and play this course…This week it will come down to putting and the short game.
Pettersen won three times around the world in 2011 and recorded numerous other top tens to take her to the number two position behind Tseng.
“I look back on 2011 as a pretty good year. I had three wins with a lot of consistent golf. I wasn’t really in contention in the majors which is for me was a bit painful. That is one thing I would like to change if I could. Maybe prepare better in the weeks prior to the majors so I can feel less stressed about how the game is feeling. The majors will be the bigger ones.
“I think 2010 was my best year. I felt throughout the year I was very consistent. You have to look back on every year and analyse how you can get better. I spend a lot of time with my short game. I try to really fall in love with it, embrace it, and see every chance you have as an opportunity. If anything, my short game is holding me back a bit. My ball striking is good enough.
“I have been on top of the “greens-in-regulation” for a couple of years in a row now. You can only do so much with your ball striking. Everyone makes mistakes and you have to look at the up and downs. My main goal will be a lot of time spent on my putting and short game.
Pettersen is keen on chasing down Tseng to become the game’s leading player although she knows she has a big task. “I feel like my game is there. Yani has a great head start. It will probably take more than a season to catch up with her. I don’t really look at her game. I look at my game. What can I do better to get my game more consistent and to get the most out of it.
“But she is a great No. 1. She is a very aggressive player, very fearless and obviously has a lot of confidence. I’ve beaten her before so I know I can do it.”
Pettersen faces a strong test this week not only in the shape of Yani Tseng but in the quality of players listed just behind her in the Rolex World ranking who are in this week’s field.
Cristie Kerr, Brittany Linicome, Stacy Lewis, So Yeon Ryu, Jiyai Shin, Karrie Webb and Lexi Thompson and many others are sure to give Pettersen all she can handle but the manner in which the 30 year old goes about her business is sure to attract attention from Melbourne fans.
Ten years ago Pettersen was a potential villain as she went oh so close to defeating Australia’s favourite golfing daughter, Karrie Webb, but it might well be that the locals get behind her this year as they become enamoured with her classy game.
The tournament begins at 7.30am local time tomorrow.
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