Rookie Tseng makes name for herself with LPGA triumph

HAVRE DE GRACE, Maryland (Reuters) - Tseng Yani of Taiwan made a name for herself at Bulle Rock golf course on Sunday as the 19-year-old rookie won the LPGA Championship to make her first victory on tour a major.

"Before I just heard Lorena, Lorena," Tseng told reporters about the cheers coming from the galleries. "And today it's Yani, Yani. So it's very exciting."

Tseng withstood another day of extreme heat and final-round pressure to defeat Sweden's Maria Hjorth, an 11-year tour veteran, on their fourth hole of a sudden-death playoff.

After a brilliant amateur career that included four U.S. wins and 15 international victories, Tseng earned her LPGA membership for this year at the Qualifying Tournament.

"This is my dream," Tseng said. "Its happened so fast. I feel lucky."

Tseng got off to a slow start despite soft conditions caused by heavy rain early in the week. She opened with 73 and shot two-under 70 in the second round before closing with 65-68.

"I was very disappointed," she said about the early rounds. "I just tried too hard. I tried to make everything perfect.

"I just stay relaxed," she said about her adjustment. "The coach tells me just relax, play your game, don't try too hard. So today I really just enjoyed the golf."

Tseng said she hoped there would be a Sunday celebration.

"I hope they give me a big party," she said. "But it's sad that I can't drink. I can't have a beer when I have a party."

The drinking age in Maryland is 21.

The victory also ensured Tseng became the first Taiwanese golfer to win a major.

Chen Tze-Chung nearly earned that distinction at the 1985 men's U.S. Open before he double-hit a chip shot and was penalized on his way to a quadruple-bogey in the final round. He finished one shot behind winner Andy North.

Tseng said she was friendly with Chen, who gave her advice when they met at a practice facility.

The LPGA Championship winner said she only recently learned about Chen's mishap, when she saw highlights on television.

"Last week I just saw the missed double chip," she said. "I couldn't believe it. That's not really a hard shot.

"After I watched I told my coach...'Oh, I know maybe why he chipped a double chip. His technique maybe gives a lot of chance to make a double chip.'"

"But don't tell him that, because I feel bad."

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)