A car crash in Thailand has left top golf stars battling injuries at this week’s HSBC Women’s Champions — and could help Tseng Yani extend her long stint as world No.1.
Former winner Ai Miyazato, the world No.9, and American star Paula Creamer are both in question for the $US1.4 million ($A1.38 million) showpiece in Singapore after they were involved in a multi-vehicle smash following the Honda LPGA Thailand.
Creamer, Miyazato and Suzann Pettersen of Norway were en route to Bangkok airport when they were caught in the five-car accident, and needed treatment for minor injuries after arriving in Singapore.
“I’ve felt better, that’s for sure … we will see what happens,” Creamer said.
“I had pretty bad whiplash from hitting the headrest but I took it easy and I hope that I can tee it up on Thursday… It’s pretty amazing how we walked away.”
Creamer cut short her appearance in Wednesday’s pro-am and went for extra treatment, while Miyazato did not play the warm-up event at the par-72 Sentosa Golf Club, a tournament official said.
The mishap threatens to rob the tournament, featuring most of the world’s best players, of two big names, and could potentially play into the hands of world No.1 Tseng, who is clinging to a narrow lead after 107 weeks at the top.
The “Pride of Taiwan”, winless for nearly a year, has started the season impressively with back-to-back top-three finishes. But she insisted staying at No.1 was not her main concern.
“World number one is not as important as before now,” said the 24-year-old.
“I’ve already reached (there), and I’ve been there before. I’m still here, but I just want to enjoy (myself) more. Because I know if I’m not looking at the result, I just want to play the golf and enjoy every swing and enjoy every tournament.”
Tseng admitted she had burdened herself with “too much expectation” last season when a run of missed cuts, which contrasted with her seven titles in 2011, left her struggling emotionally.
“I think I put too much expectation on myself. I think people, the fans and the media, they give lots of pressure. You know, if I don’t finish top 10, I’m in trouble, like ‘What’s wrong with Yani?'”
Missing from the field is 25th-ranked New Zealand amateur Lydia Ko, 15, who has become the most talked-about player on tour after winning last year’s Canadian Women’s Open and coming close at the season opener in Australia.
