Defending Omega Dubai Ladies Masters champion Shanshan Feng played down all the hype swirling around her imperious form coming to the season-ending Ladies European Tour event, saying her main goal of the week is to finish among top five.
Anything better she won’t mind either. “I am not putting too much pressure on me. Well, my goal is a top-five finish, just like last year. Of course, if I have a chance do better, I will go for it,” said Feng, who lapped the field in Dubai last year, winning the title with an emphatic five-shot margin.
‘Defending a title is usually very difficult, so setting that goal makes me more comfortable. I just want to bring out my A-game and try my best.”
With the season-ending LPGA Tour Championship already under her belt, Feng has a realistic chance to become the first woman golfer on the planet to win last events on both the sides of the Atlantic and emulate the stunning feat of Sweden’s Henrik Stenson.
“He (Stenson) set a great example in golf, rising from the bottom of his career to the top on the summit too soon. Nobody knows what’s going to happen in golf until the last putt drops in, but I would say his (Henrik’s) feat will encourage a lot of people,” said Feng, who has won twice in last two months.
“I had a goal early this year and that was to win twice on the LPGA Tour. Before China (in November), I had no win and I thought I am not going to make it because I had only four tournaments left. But I did it and feeling really good,” said Feng who has her work cut out with the likes of world number three Stacy Lewis entering the fray.
“I have played with Stacy quite a few times and know she is always very competitive. So, I am really looking forward to play with her again and have a great time, like we did in China,” said Feng who eagled the par-5 18th hole to beat the American by one stroke in Reignwood Classic, the LPGA’s first tournament in Beijing.
“I don’t think we try and beat each other. We just want to bring out our A Games and play our best,” said Feng, the first golfer from mainland China to win a major title when she captured the LPGA Championship in June last year.
