POND: TSENG CRUSHES FIELD AT LOCUST HILL

YANI TSENG

Yani Tseng made two things perfectly clear Sunday after closing out the fourth major championship of her young career.

First, the 22-year-old Chinese Taipei star is the undeniable, new face of the LPGA Tour. And the second thing? Tseng's opponents better step up their respective games if they plan on contending with the sport's most dominant player since Annika Sorenstam.

Tseng wired the field, closing with a 6-under-par 66 on her way to an 11-stroke victory at Locust Hill Country Club. American standout Morgan Pressel was the next closest, finishing at 8 under for the event.

Defending champion Cristie Kerr, Paula Creamer and Suzann Pettersen - all among our top-10 contenders prior to the start of the tournament - finished in a tie for third place at 7 under par.

Jiyai Shin, our pick to win this week in suburban Rochester, N.Y., struggled with consistency and settled for a share of 34th place after finishing tied for third a year ago.

Here is a look at the 10 players we labeled contenders at the start of the event and how they have fared:

YANI TSENG

Finish: First (-19, 269)

Final round: -6, 66 ... Eight birdies/two bogeys

Third round: First (-5, 67) ... Six birdies/one bogey

Second round: First (-2, 70) ... Five birdies/one bogey/one double

First round: First (-6, 66) ... Eight birdies/two bogeys

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied 19th (+1)

 

CRISTIE KERR

Finish: Tied for 3rd (-8, 280)

Final round: -3, 69 ... One eagle/three birdies/two bogeys

Third round: Tied for 5th (-5, 67) ... Five birdies/no bogeys

Second round: Tied for 38th (E, 72) ... Four birdies/four bogeys

First round: Tied for 33rd (E, 72) ... Four birdies/four bogeys

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: First (-19)

 

PAULA CREAMER

Finish: Tied for 3rd (-8, 280)

Final round: Tied for 5th (-1, 71) ... Four birdies/one bogey

Third round: Even, 72 ... No birdies/no bogeys

Second round: Tied for 6th (E, 72) ... Four birdies/four bogeys

First round: Second (-5, 67) ... Five birdies/no bogeys

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 42nd (+4)

 

SUZANN PETTERSEN

Finish: Tied for 3rd  (-8, 267)

Final round: -5, 67 ... Six birdies/one bogey

Third round: Tied for 16th (-3, 69) ... Six birdies/three bogeys

Second round: Tied for 38th (E, 72) ... Three birdies/three bogeys

First round: Tied for 33rd (E, 72) ... One birdie/one bogey

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 11th (-2)

 

STACY LEWIS

Finish: Tied for 6th (-6, 282)

Final round: -1, 71 ... Four birdies/three bogeys

Third round: Tied for 5th (-2, 70) ... Five birdies/one bogey/one double

Second round: Tied for 10th (E, 72) ... Four birdies/two bogeys/one double

First round: Tied for 7th (-3, 69) ... Five birdies/two bogeys

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 14th (E)

 

I.K. KIM

Finish: Tied for 12th (-4, 282)

Final round: E, 72 ... Four birdies/four bogeys

Third round: Tied for 9th (-4, 68) ... Five birdies/two bogeys

Second round: Tied for 29th (-2, 70) ... Four birdies/two bogeys

First round: Tied for 55th (+1, 73) ... Four birdies/two bogeys

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 5th (-4)

 

KARRIE WEBB

Finish: Tied for 20th (-2, 286)

Final round: E, 72 ... Two birdies/two bogeys

Third round: Tied for 21st (-1, 71) ... Three birdies/two bogeys

Second round: Tied for 29th (-3, 69) ... Five birdies/two bogeys

First round: Tied for 76th (+2, 74) ... Two birdies/two bogeys/one double

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 5th (-4)

 

BRITTANY LINCICOME

Finish: Tied for 20th (-2, 286)

Final round: -3, 69 ... Six birdies/three bogeys

Third round: Tied for 41st (-1, 71) ... Five birdies/four bogeys

Second round: Tied for 65th (E, 72) ... Three birdies/three bogeys

First round: Tied for 76th (+2, 74) ... Three birdies/three bogeys

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 14th (E)

 

JIYAI SHIN

Finish: Tied for 34th (+1, 289)

Final round: -2, 70 ... One eagle/two birdies/two bogeys

Third round: Tied for 54th (+1, 73) ... Two birdies/three bogeys

Second round: Tied for 65th (-1, 71) ... Four birdies/three bogeys

First round: Tied for 98th (+3, 75) ... One birdie/four bogeys

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Tied for 3rd (-5)

 

SANDRA GAL

Position: Tied for 108th (+5, 149) ... Missed cut

Second round: +2, 74 ... One eagle/one birdie/two bogeys/one triple

First round: Tied for 98th (+3, 75) ... Two birdies/three bogeys/one double

2010 Wegmans LPGA Championship finish: Missed cut

* Photo courtesy of Getty Images