Tseng Forced to Withdraw from Kia Classic


Yani Tseng's travails continue. After the 24-year-old from Taiwan was supplanted last Sunday by American Stacy Lewis as the No. 1-ranked female player in golf, on Wednesday Tseng missed her pro-am tee time and, under LPGA Tour rules, was forced to withdraw from the Kia Classic.

Tseng claims she missed her pro-am tee time because she overslept. "I'm embarrassed to admit that I wasn't feeling well (Tuesday) night and accidentally overslept and missed my tee time for the pro-am (Wednesday) morning," Tseng said in a statement.

"I was extremely excited to compete this week to defend my title at the Kia Classic and to try to regain the No. 1 spot. This was an unfortunate mistake and I want to apologize to Kia, my sponsors and all of the fans. The Kia Classic is one of my favorite tournaments and I have so many great memories in San Diego. I can't wait to come back here next year."

Tseng, a 15-time LPGA Tour winner, has been in a victory drought since last year's Kia Classic, going winless in her past 23 starts. She tied for 59th in last week's Founders Cup in Phoenix, finishing 19 strokes behind Lewis.

Her last win came a year ago in the $1.7 million tournament, which starts Thursday at Aviara Golf Club in Carlsbad, Calif. The champion will receive $255,000.