This week, the LPGA Tour will make its last stateside stop of the season in Alabama, before heading over to Asia for the last four weeks of the year.

It's only fitting: Asian players have already made themselves quite at home on tour this season, winning the LPGA's last nine events. After Jiyai Shin's win at the Women's British Open, Asian-born players now  make up eight of the game's top 10.

Yani Tseng, the slumping World No. 1, thinks she has an explanation. Speaking to The Golf Channel's Randall Mell on Wednesday, prior to the Navistar Classic, she suggested that the work ethic of Asian players has led to their dominance on Tour.

“Asian players train so hard,” Tseng said. “Most of the time, on Monday mornings, the only people you see on the range are Asians. I mean, only see Asians.”

Tseng tees off Thursday at noon alongside Americans Brittany Lincicome and Lexi Thompson, the defending champion.

Teenagers Lydia Ko, 15, and Lexi Thompson, 17, will play together through the first two rounds of the Ricoh Women's British Open, which begins Thursday at Royal Liverpool in England. The two will be chaperoned by Kaori Ohe, who rounds out the group.

Ko, the amateur from New Zealand, stormed the LPGA Tour when she won the Canadian Women's Open by three at the end of August. The win made her the tour's youngest champion, and the first amateur to win on the LPGA since 1969.

By comparison, Thompson is an old war horse: She was born in 1995 (1997 for Ko) and turn pro in 2010. This is her first full year on the LPGA Tour.

Other headline pairings at Hoylake include the group of world No. 1 Yani Tseng playing alongside No. 5 Ai Miyazato and Paula Creamer, who is fresh off her Sisyphean playoff loss at Kingsmill. She and Jiyai Shin were still tied after playing the 18th hole eight times before darkness fell on Sunday. They resumed the playoff Monday morning on the par-4 sixth hole, where Creamer made bogey to lose.

For complete pairings, check the tournament's official website.

Slumping World No. 1 Yani Tseng -- who has missed three of four cuts, and hasn't had a top ten since May -- needs a change, which is bad news for another caddie.

According to Emily Kay of SB Nation, Tseng has fired caddie Basil van Rooyen, just weeks after sacking longtime caddie Jason Hamilton in July. Tseng has reportedly replaced Rooyen with Patrick Turley, whom we wish all the luck in the world.

Here's where the locker room drama comes in: Hamilton, who looped it for 16 of Tseng's wins, starts his new gig at this week's Safeway Classic caddying for U.S. Women's Open Na Yeon Choi, who's currently ranked fourth in the world. Shane Joel, Choi's usual caddie, has stepped away from the bag for personal reasons.

According to Randall Mell of the Golf Channel, Choi spoke with Tseng on Wednesday morning.

“But we didn't say anything about the caddie,” Choi said. “I think we are good friends, but this is some kind of business. So, I think that's why she didn't say anything.”

Jose Maria Olazabal can't drive 65
Jose Maria Olazabal was pulled over for speeding after the Masters Champions Dinner on Tuesday night, according to The Savannah Morning News.

Ehsanipoor said the two-time Masters Champ was going 97 mph on Ga. 21 in a 65 mph zone when he was stopped by a deputy.

Olazabal apologized and told the deputy he was leaving the Masters Golf tournament in Augusta and was traveling to another tournament, Ehsanipoor said.

Olazabal was allowed to follow the deputy to the sheriff’s office where he posted a cash bond of $621 and was released.

Enter Sandman
A Masters patron was busted Sunday after he attempted to steal a cup of Augusta National's famous white sand from a bunker, according to The Augusta Chronicle.

Richmond County sheriff’s Capt. Scott Gay said Clayton Price Baker, of Ohio, slipped under the ropes following the tournament and attempted to put the sand in his cup.

After a short foot chase by Augusta National security and sheriff’s deputies, Baker was apprehended and charged with disorderly conduct.

You won't believe it, but police say Baker had been drinking.

Azinger calls Tiger's behavior 'embarrassment to the game'
After Tiger Woods drop-kicked a club on his way to shooting 75 on Friday at Augusta National, former Ryder Cup captain and 1993 PGA Champion Paul Azinger vented his disgust on Sirius Radio, according to Hank Gola of The New York Daily News.

“Tiger’s antics this week were an embarrassment to the game, to the membership at Augusta,” Zinger said. “I was really disappointed to see him carry on that way. He’s not trying to endear himself to anybody. And after he won Bay Hill I thought, ‘here we go again, this is going to be Tiger just kicking butt and taking names.’ I don’t know. I thought he acted like the south end of a northbound mule.”

As for Woods’ golf, Azinger said, “I think his brain is full of swing thoughts, not swing feelings."

"He thinks he needs to know it all so he can fix what’s wrong, but that’s not what happened here,” he went on. “When it started to go off he didn’t have a go-to shot, there was nothing he could do. I can’t compare my career to Tiger Woods’ career for sure, but I’ll say this, in the 28 years I’ve played golf for a living I’ve never been as lost as he looked out there.”

Mets bring in a winner...but only for one night
Yani Tseng threw out the first pitch for the Mets at Citi Field on Monday on Taiwanese Appreciation Night. The Mets won 4-3 over the Nationals.

Yani with Mets catcher Josh Thole. (AP Photo)

Tweet of the Day

“@_d97_: @VijaySinghGolf How long did you practice to become a pro-golfer?” I am still practicing, the golf journey never ends.

— Vijay Singh (@VijaySinghGolf) April 10, 2012

Tiger Mania
Tiger Woods won the Arnold Palmer Invitational, ending his 30-month drought with a five-stroke victory. Friends, fans and critics give him a shout-out.

Heading home now and I can't stop smiling. Thanks to Otown fans and everyone watching for all the love. Get well soon, Arnie.

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) March 26, 2012

Tiger Woods is back!! What a thrilling victory in his 72nd win on the PGA Tour. Great for golf. Congratulations.

— Gary Player (@garyplayer) March 26, 2012

Some guy we vaguely remember won for the first time in awhile. No big whoop. RT @geoffogilvy: What happened at the golf yesterday?

— Steve Elling (@EllingYelling) March 26, 2012

You gotta admire #TigerWoods for winning at Bay Hill just to help promote Hank Haney's book "The Big Miss." Who says Tiger's selfish?

— Alistair Tait (@GolfweekTait) March 26, 2012

LPGA Major Opener
This week the LPGA stages its first major of the season with the Kraft Nabisco Championship.

Retweet if you're ready for the LPGA's first major of the season - the Kraft Nabisco Championship!@KNCGolf #KNC12

— LPGA (@lpga) March 26, 2012

It’s time for golf’s first major. Follow @KNCGolf for live updates, photos, and video. #KNCGolf is official hashtag of the Tournament.

— Paula Creamer (@ThePCreamer) March 26, 2012

Tseng on a roll
Yani Tseng won her 15th LPGA title at The Kia Classic. Soon we'll see if she can make it three in a row and win major No. 6 at the Kraft Nabisco Championship this week.

Yani Tseng is amazing - she is dominating like Tiger did.Well done to Fred Couples I hope he plays like that at The Masters.

— Gary Player (@garyplayer) March 26, 2012

Red-hot Yani Tseng wins Kia Classic by six strokes es.pn/GRge1z

— ESPN_Golf (@ESPN_Golf) March 25, 2012

Tiger/Yani win in same wk. 23 yr old Yani faster than Tiger to 15 career wins by 8 months. This wk Yani goes for 6th major #Kraft

— Kelly Tilghman (@KellyTilghmanGC) March 26, 2012

Yani Tseng, who has won 3 of the 5 LPGA events played, leads the money list by $423,011. Rory leads US list by $406,610.

— Ryan Ballengee (@RyanBallengeeGC) March 26, 2012

43

Length of the putt Bill Haas made for birdie on the second playoff hole to win the Northern Trust Open, the longest putt to win a playoff on the PGA Tour in at least 20 years. However, it was not the longest shot made in a playoff, Craig Parry holed a six-iron from 176 yards out to beat Scott Verplank at the 2004 Ford Championship at Doral.

0

Number of three putts by Bill Haas at the Northern Trust Open. Keegan Bradley and three others also avoided three-putting at the event. For the week, Haas was second in strokes gained, second in total putting and tied for first in overall putting average. He had 33 one-putts, which was T19th. (Keegan Bradley won that category with 41 one-putts.) In putts from 5 feet and in, Haas was a perfect 49 for 49.  

50

Percent of greens hit in regulation by Bill Haas at the Northern Trust Open. Other than putting, Haas's statistics from the Northern Trust Open were pretty average. He was T58th in greens in regulation (36 of 72) and T30th in fairways hit.

1

Number of rounds Haas has been over par in the 20 rounds he's played on the PGA Tour this year. He shot a 1-over 72 in the first round of the Northern Trust.

7

Current streak of wins by American players on the PGA Tour. Americans have won the first seven events of the 2012 PGA TOUR season. The last time there was such a streak to start the season was 2001, when U.S. players won the first eight events of the year before Robert Allenby won the Northern Trust Open.

28

Age of Jay Haas (28 years, 9 months and 17 days ) when he won his fourth PGA Tour event at the 1982 Hall of Fame Classic. Son Bill has was 29 years, 8 months and 25 days when he won the Northern Trust Open on Sunday.

13.4

Millions in Tour winnings by Bill Haas, just $1 million short of his father's career earnings. And that 13.4 million doesn't include the $10 million bonus Bill Haas received for winning the 2011 FedEx Cup.

19

Combined wins of Julius Boros (18) and son Guy Boros (1), the most PGA Tour wins by a father-son combo. Here are the other father-and-son tandems that have won on the PGA Tour:

Jack Burke Sr. (2) and Jack Burke Jr.(16): 18 total wins

Al Geiberger (11) and Brent Geiberger (2): 13 total wins

Joe Kirkwood Sr. (13) and Joe Kirkwood Jr. (2): 15 total wins

Jay Haas (9) and Bill Haas (4): 13 total wins

Tom Morris Sr. (4) and Tom Morris Jr. (4): 8 total wins

Willie Park (4) and Willie Park Jr. (1): 5 total wins  

Clayton Heafner (4) and Vance Heafner (1): 5 total wins

2

Number of times Phil Mickelson has won at Riviera (2008 and 2009) and lost there in playoffs (2007 and 2012).

13

Number of LPGA wins by Yani Tseng, who birdied her final two holes to win the Honda LPGA Thailand by a shot over Ai Miyazato. Tseng is 75 wins away from Kathy Whitworth, who leads the LPGA Tour with 88. Tseng is 69 wins away from Mickey Wright and 59 wins away from Annika Sorenstam.

23

Age of Yani Tseng when she won her 13th LPGA event on Sunday. By contrast, Whitworth she was 23 years when she won the 1962 Phoenix Thunderbird Open, her second career victory; Mickey Wright was 23 years when she won the 1958 LPGA Championship, her sixth LPGA Tour victory; and Annika Sorenstam was 24 when she won for the first time at the 1995 U.S. Women's Open.

12.6

Percent of LPGA starts that Yani Tseng has won (13 wins in 103 starts). However, Tseng's win rate doesn't come close to Tiger Woods's winning percentage of 25.8 percent (71 wins in 275 starts).

--Compiled by Sal Johnson

(Photo: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Yani Tseng won two majors and seven total LPGA Tour events (and five additional events) in 2011, but it wasn't enough to break into the top 3 in the Associated Press's Female Athlete of the Year vote. The winner was U.S. women's soccer team striker Abby Wambach. SI.com has the vote breakdown:

Wambach's clutch performance at this summer's World Cup made her the clear choice for the 2011 Female Athlete of the Year, selected by members of The Associated Press. The U.S. forward received 65 of the 214 votes cast, while teammate Hope Solo (38) was a distant second and UConn basketball star Maya Moore (35) was third.

Forbes says Tiger won't make financial comeback –- unless he does
In May, Forbes listed Tiger Woods as the world's richest athlete, with $75 million in earnings in the previous 12 months. A new article on Forbes titled "Aging Tiger Woods Unlikely to Reach Peak Earnings Again" hints that Tiger's salad days might be behind them. However, the actual story is more confident in Tiger's earning potential than the headline suggests.

"People love a personal comeback story," said Paul Pierson, a partner at Carbone Smolan Agency in New York, "so I think he can get close to the [earnings] levels prior to his troubles but I'd be surprised if he surpassed them."

The "aging" Tiger Woods turns 36 on Dec. 30.

Teaching pro at historic Scottish club convicted in drug deal
At Royal Musselburgh Golf Club in Scotland, the pro had something for more than just your slice. Scotsman.com has the details:

Kenneth Glen, 25, who worked as the assistant professional at the Royal Musselburgh Golf Club in Prestonpans, pleaded guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday to charges of supplying cocaine.

The gang were targeted by Operation Tine, a police surveillance operation, which has identified £2m of cash and property to be seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Detectives believed up to 20 people were part of the supply network, and several "couriers" have already been jailed after being caught with drugs. 

Tweets of the Day
If you haven't been keeping up with the Kardashians, here's the latest: Brody Jenner, Kim Kardashian's step-brother, wants to beat his father, Olympic hero Bruce Jenner, in golf, so Kim is helping him get a golf lesson from Hank Haney for Christmas. (I think I got that right.)

In 2009, Lee Westwood made waves when he topped the European Tour's money list and was named European Tour Golfer of the Year. In 2010, he finished runner-up twice at major tournaments and overtook Tiger Woods's ranking as number one golfer in the world. Following that trend, 2011 looked to be a big year for Britain's biggest talent, but he has since dropped to third in the world. Speaking with John Huggan, Westwood aired out some of his frustrations with his play this season.

“It’s been a pretty good season, but not in comparison with the previous two. My major championship performances, for example, were generally OK this year. But I never really had a chance of victory. In 2009 and 2010 I had chances to win nearly all of them. So following that was always going to be tough."

"Away from the majors I’ve won three times this year. That’s not an unsuccessful year. But I have to acknowledge the fact that I’ve gone from number one in the world to number three. So that’s a step back even if my game is, all around, better than it was a year ago. The common theme to my putting this year was that they weren’t going in. I had a poor pace and direction to my stroke, both of which I’ve been working on with Phil Kenyon.”

Taking up PGA Tour membership for the first time since 2008, the former world No. 1 believes playing more in America will increase his chances to grab that elusive major title.

“Playing more in America can only help me get used to that style of golf. With three of the majors over there, that could be important.”

“The majors are obviously a big motivation for me. I haven’t won one yet and I would like to. They are the starting points for my schedule. Everything else has to fit in with what I think will be the best preparation for them. I’ve played in more than 50 of them so I know what to do in order not to put extra pressure on myself."

Another thing Westwood knows how to do? Dance. Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait until his playing days are over before you see him cut a rug on "Strictly Come Dancing" (the original BBC show that spawned "Dancing With the Stars").

“In retirement I’d love to have a go,” confirms the man from Worksop. “My Nan and Grandad used to run an old-time dance school, so I did do a bit when I was a little boy. I was even ‘highly commended’ in a couple of dances: the Lilac Waltz and the Boston Two-Step. And I’ve still got the medals to prove it.

“We’re talking 30 years ago mind. So it’s been a while since I slipped on my patent dancing shoes. I’m a bit out of practice. But I’d have a fair idea going in. Although I’m not too sure how I’d look in those tight sequined outfits. I think I’d have to lose some weight. And the fake tan? I’d have to get the hair-removing cream out first!”

Tseng wins—again

Yani Tseng once again showed us that she is the most dominant force in golf right now, notching win number 12 at the Swinging Skirts Invitational in her home country of Taiwan.  According to the Taipei Times, Tseng posted a final round four-under 68 in cold and rainy conditions to win the tournament by seven strokes, besting the likes of Na Yeon Choi, Suzann Pettersen, Paula Creamer, Cristie Kerr and Stacy Lewis.

“I’m very satisfied and happy,” Tseng said after winning the title. “I played steadily and I felt really great.”

“Seeing so many people to cheer for me in such poor weather really touched me. The fans’ support means a lot to me, pushing me forward.”

To express her gratitude, Tseng handed out “hot hands” to fans during the tournament’s final two days to help them keep their hands warm.

Yani’s win pushes her winnings this year to more than $3.4 million, though she said she was happier with the number of wins than the prize money she earned.

Tweet of the Day

Just finished my history final...this is how i feel right now --> youtube.com/watch?v=rnI0mH… #pandadougie

— Michelle Wie (@themichellewie) December 12, 2011

Luke Donald said Wednesday in Dubai that he thought Rory McIlroy was a more talented golfer than Tiger Woods:

I think Tiger's work ethic has always been tremendous, and his mindset, as well. I think his mindset is what has separated himself from the field when he was really at the top of the game. But in terms of talent, I think Rory has more talent.

But when news outlets picked up on his remarks, Donald went on Twitter to explain he was just talking about McIlroy’s easy swing and that Tiger is still the greatest player he’s ever played with.

Yani Tseng too shy to wear skirt at pro-am
Yani Tseng played in the “Swinging Skirts” pro-am match that kicks off a women’s golf charity tournament in Taiwan this weekend, but she decided to wear shorts instead of a skirt or a kilt, according to Focus Taiwan News Channel.  

World No. 1 female golfer Yani Tseng on Wednesday wore shorts to a pro-amateur match play that precedes an LPGA invitational tournament featuring players dressed in kilts or skirts, saying she is too shy to wear skirts.

"I didn't prepare any skirts because I'm too shy. I'm afraid I won't do well with a skirt on," the Taiwanese golfer admitted after a kickoff ceremony at the Miramar Golf and Country Club in Linkou, New Taipei for the Swinging Skirts 2011 TLPGA Invitational, slated to take place Dec. 9-11.

'Mashed Potatoes Guy' unmasked
While the world was wondering about the identity of the fan who yelled “mashed potatoes” when Tiger hit his stinger off the tee on 18 in the final round of last week’s Chevron World Challenge, ESPN.com’s Patrick Dorsey tracked him down. It turns out Mashed Potato Guy is a former Pepperdine golfer named Andrew Widmar. However, he’s not the only Mashed Potato Guy. They are a legion.

Page 2 caught up with Widmar, the man behind the plan, who didn't exactly get his inspiration from the Thanksgiving dinner table.

"I wish I could take credit," Widmar said, but really it came from previous (but not as widely noticed) instances, with Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler and Tiger himself all having been mashed potatoed at tournaments.

So after seeing the YouTube clips in the summer, Widmar decided to do it himself -- but only at the right time.

Enter Tiger, tied for the lead, on hole No. 72. Doesn't get much bigger.

"I figured there'd be plenty of viewers to appreciate it," Widmar said. 

Tweet of the Day

Yani Tseng was the main attraction heading into the Rolex Awards Reception where she picked up Player of the Year honors for the second straight year, as well as the Vare Trophy for low scoring average, but LPGA Rookie of the Year Hee Kyung Seo stole the show, according to the Golf Channel's Randall Mell.

“I’m here to issue a warning,” Seo said from the podium while turning to look at Tseng. “I’m ready to play golf at the highest level, and I want to be No. 1 in the future, so I issue this warning.”

Seo told Tseng she thought of her when looking at the caution message stamped to her car’s side-view mirror on the way to the awards reception.

“The sticker I think is meant for you,” Seo said. “It says `Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear.’”

If 2011 was any indication, Seo’s analogy may very well be right on the mark—Yani may be closer to breaking Kathy Whitworth’s career victories record than it appears.

Tryon headed to Q-School finals

In 2001, Ty Tryon became one of the youngest players to earn a PGA Tour card at the age of 17. What followed included lucrative endorsement deals, raised expectations, and an overwhelming sense of pressure that Tyron couldn't live up to, reports Golfweek's Sean Martin.

Ty Tryon admits he was overwhelmed and unhappy when he earned his first PGA Tour card, at age 17. He felt like the fame that followed his record-setting achievement was forced upon him. He was no longer a kid playing a game. The prodigy had become a pitchman.

After posting a 1-under-par 71 during the second stage of Q-School, Tryon is optimistic that he can play well in the final stage and return to the PGA Tour.

“I feel lucky that I still ... have an opportunity to play on Tour and chase this game for a living,” said Tryon. “I feel really lucky, and I just want a little vindication."

“I feel like I’ve earned it. I feel like I’ve earned some of the lucky breaks just because I’ve kept on giving this a go."

This will be Tryon's second consecutive appearance in the Q-school finals -- he finished at the bottom of the leaderboard last year, missing an opportunity to regain PGA Tour status and instead walked away with conditional Nationwide Tour status. If the third time is a charm, this is certainly Tryon's best chance to redeem himself and rejoin the ranks he first took on as a teenager.

“It’s not the best story if you get out there early and you never get out there again. I’m really trying my best to turn that over into a new story. I have a chance now.”

Troubled soccer star finds success at golf tournament

Carlos Tevez may not be playing soccer right now, but the Argentinian striker is keeping himself busy out on the golf course, according to Soccernet. Tevez, who went AWOL on his Manchester City teammates and returned to Argentina without his club’s permission, won a Buenos Aires Grand Prix for professionals and amateurs, partnering with professional golfers Sebastian Fernandez and Andres Romero.

“He did not say anything about his problems with his club, but I was struck by the peace he had,” Fernandez said. “He plays golf very well.”

While his soccer career looks to be stalled until another club takes him off of Manchester City’s hands (a transfer to Milan has been rumored), at least Tevez has a solid backup plan.

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