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Shanshan Feng benefits from Annika's absence

Dubai - Sorenstam's retirement helped Chinese win more titles

 Shanshan Feng was happy to have notched a record triple at the Dubai Ladies Masters but was modest enough to say that she could do so because Annika Sorenstam had called time on her career. Feng and golfing legend Sorenstam were tied at two titles apiece but the Chinese went past the Swede by clinching the season-ending Ladies European Tour (LET) event for the third time at the Majlis Course of the Emirates Golf Club on Saturday.
"I would say the only reason that I actually won more than Annika did is because she's not playing anymore," Feng said after receiving 'The Veiled Lady' Trophy from Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, wife of Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
"I don't think there's any comparison in there. But I'm really happy to win three times here though," she added.
Feng said that winning it again hadn't crossed her mind and she had just gone out there to enjoy the week. "For sure, I'm really, really happy. Actually, before I came this year, I didn't really think that I could win again. I didn't really aim that as a goal. I was like top five, just enjoy the week and just try my best on every shot. But, of course, I performed really well, I would say really consistent. Even though yesterday there were two bogeys, but today was bogey-free again. So overall, I think I did really, really well," said Feng.
Feng wrapped up the Order of Merit this year and she said that winning in Dubai was more like a bonus. "I think that is maybe like a bonus for this year, because I won twice on the European Tour and also I finished third at Evian. Overall, I think I did well this year on the European Tour," she said.
"I always love this tour because it's good prize money, good players, good sponsors. I think the Tour is getting better and better, because I'm in the player meeting every year here, so actually I can tell the Tour is growing. I'm happy to see that change. If I have more chances to support this tour, I would love to," she added. Feng also didn't give much thought that she couldn't break her own tournament record of 21-under. "No, I'm not disappointed because I was going for 20. So, actually 21 is one lower than what I was going for, so I'm really happy about it. I mean, 21-under last time was still me, though, right? Same person," she laughed and said.
Looking ahead, she said, her focus was winning on the LPGA Tour. "This year, my goal on the LPGA was to win one time. But I didn't really win on the LPGA. I didn't have many victories this year, but I'm really happy that I actually won twice on the European. So, winning another one as the last tournament to finish this year, I'm really happy that actually I can. I believe I can win again," Feng said.
"I'm not too old. I still can win. I still can compete. So I'm going to go home, maybe get myself some presents, and also for my parents, and have a relaxing off-season and be fresh for next season," she added.
james@khaleejtimes.com