Golf: Unavailability of Tsai blow to Otago's chances

Rebecca Tsai practises on the Balmacewen course in Dunedin yesterday. Photo by Craig Baxter.
Rebecca Tsai practises on the Balmacewen course in Dunedin yesterday. Photo by Craig Baxter.
The unavailability of Rebecca Tsai for the women's interprovincial tournament at St Clair on December 11-15 is a severe blow to Otago's chances of success.

Tsai (16) played at No 3 in the South Island team event last weekend and, along with Jo Hicks-Beach and Susan Greig, posted four wins from as many rounds.

With Laura Hoskin winning three matches at No 1 and suffering a narrow loss in the final round, the performance of Otago's top quintet has not been better for many years.

Tsai has entered eight tournaments in the United States, some of which clash with the interprovincial.

"I enjoyed the golf in the weekend and would be keen to play in the main event but I have other commitments at that time," Tsai said.

Tsai spent five years attending Columba College but her current education is at home through the Correspondence School.

Last weekend's four wins were not her only successes in New Zealand. She shot scores of 77, 73, 72 and 73 to win the Carrus Women's Open in Tauranga last month.

Tsai started hitting golf balls five years ago in Taiwan but became serious about the sport when she played in her first tournament in Shanghai two years ago.

She plays off a handicap of five but recent form indicates this will decrease soon.

Tsai's other interests are ballet and horse riding, while she is also keen to take up yoga.

"I think that ballet improves my balance and the horse riding helps with my upper-body strength."

"I want to be fit to play competitive golf and I think that yoga may help me achieve this."

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