Sport : Golf

Tiger's niece takes centre stage

4th July 2012, 04:12pm

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Cheyenne Woods: Following in her uncle's footsteps

Cheyenne Woods: Following in her uncle's footsteps

A 21-year-old qualifier finds herself one of the main attractions in this week's US Women's Open at Blackwolf Run in Kohler, Wisconsin.

Cheyenne Woods is the niece of 14-major winner Tiger and, after turning professional earlier this season, this is her debut in her national championship.

"I've not necessarily had advice, but support," said the Wake Forest graduate. "That's probably the biggest thing I can get - knowing he's excited I'm here.

"He's the best player in the world and I have him at my fingertips if I need help. It's nice to have.

"Watching Tiger play as I grew up I knew I wanted to get out there one day.

"I've grown up with the expectations and the pressure and I think that it has helped me get to where I am and prepare me for this next level.

"I've always said that I'm going on my own path. Tiger is a very elite athlete, not everybody can be Tiger Woods, so I'll just do what I can to be the best that I can."

The first time she watched her uncle play came before her second birthday - she was in a pushchair at the 1992 Los Angeles Open when he made his PGA Tour debut aged 16.

Making the cut - something he did not do that week - is the goal for Woods, but for world number one Yani Tseng it is to complete a career Grand Slam.

Only two years older than Woods, she has two British Women's Opens, two LPGA Championships and one Kraft Nabisco, but has a best finish of 10th in the US Open.

"I think it's nerves and pressure because the very first tournament I watched is the US Open when I was 13.

"My dream was playing it, now I'm trying to think of winning it - it's a very big step for me."

The winner when Tseng was 13 was American Juli Inkster and, now 52, she is playing the championship for the 33rd time.

That equals the record of Marlene Hagge for the most appearances by a champion and she said: "I just played golf because I loved it and 30 years later I still love it."

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