No. 1 Yani Tseng says played 'like some amateur'

KOHLER, Wis. -- Yani Tseng did not look like the No. 1 women's player in the world and she sure didn't feel like a 23-year-old who has won five majors. In her own estimation: "It was like some amateur was playing on the back nine."

Her winnings are far from amateurish -- $2,921,713 last year alone, including seven wins -- and her record is way above that of almost any other LPGA pro. She entered the U.S. Women's Open at Blackwolf Run with a shot at clinching the career grand slam, unheard of for someone her age. But she finished tied for 50th at 14 over par, including a hacker-like 45 on the second nine Sunday.

"It's not the end of the world," said the player from Taiwan. "Still have lots of tournaments left."

She was not among the leaders, so she played and finished early. She stayed to watch her friend Na Yeon Choi complete her run to the title. "I booked my flight for tomorrow because I thought I would be here [late] tonight," said Tseng, who had done her travel arrangements with a champion's confidence.

Chip shots

Midway through this Open, it looked as if Michelle Wie just might finally break through. She shot 66 Friday and was in the final group Saturday. Then things fell apart for her as she shot 78 and 80 on the weekend, finishing tied for 35th at 10 over. "It didn't work out for me, but just being up there . . . kind of got my juices flowing and kind of made me want it more." . . . Lexi Thompson, perhaps the greatest hope to be the next young American star, shot 40 on the back nine and finished 5 over, tied for 14th place. "I just had a few bad holes that got me in trouble," she said.