World number one Yani Tseng of Taiwan is hoping to go one better when she faces South Korea’s Choi Na-Yeon at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia, after narrowly losing to her last year. The $1.9 million tournament will start Thursday and run until Sunday at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club in Malaysia’s capital. Tseng, who has been world number one for the last 86 weeks and is the youngest golfer ever to win five major tournaments, suffered an agonizing loss to world number four Choi in last year’s Malaysia tournament. Tseng finished one shot behind Choi despite shooting a six-under 65 in the final round, equaling the course record. But she put on a brave face ahead of this year’s challenge. “I have a good memory from last year too. I was very close and I fought to the end. I didn’t swing it well the first couple of days but I finished well in second place,” the 23-year-old said. “Na-Yeon always pushes me hard to the next level so I’m really looking forward to this tournament,” she said. The LPGA Malaysia has attracted a stellar field with 60 of the top 62 players and all four Major winners this year. Other than Choi, fellow South Koreans Sun Young Yoo and Shin Jiyai, as well as world number three Shanshan Feng of China, are eyeing the title. As are top players Cristie Kerr and Paula Creamer of the United States. Also taking to the greens will be world number two Stacy Lewis, who is hoping to break a jinx and finally land a tour victory away from home. The 27-year-old from Ohio has three tour wins this year to go with her sole Major victory at the 2011 Kraft Nabisco Championship, all in the US. “I’m playing well and am confident about my game. This has been an amazing year for me, and it would be really nice if I could add to it by getting my first win in Asia,” Lewis said. “It’s nice to be ranked as one of the favourites though you’ve also got a target on your back,” she said. South Koreans dominated the first two years of the tournament, with Choi winning last year and compatriot Jimin Kang taking the inaugural event in 2010.
