Many people know her for being the first golfer from China who qualified for the LPGA.
what is it like to be the first Chinese to qualified for the LPGA???
Elain: I felt honored that the LPGA rose the Chinese national flag at their headquarters after I had qualified. That has never happened before.
I met you when I was still a student at santa monica college...you and Hong Mei are truly an inspiration to me? What made you leave the US??
Elain: I just wasn't used to the lifestyle in the U.S.
How is life like on the japanese tour??
Elain: Playing on the JLPGA is great. It is closer to home( 2 hrs ) flight to Shanghai. The distance between tournaments is closer so I can drive rather than fly and the tournaments are very well organized.
I know you have a kid... how old is he now? Is it hard to be away from home? How do you balance between family and golf?
Elain: My boy is nearing 4 years old now. Its hard to be away from home, tougher to balance family and golf but thankfully I have full support from my family.
What's your short term and long term goals in golf?
Elain: Short term goal is to putt better, long term goal is to keep my playing status for a couple of years.
I know you were a caddy and was a teaching professional before you tried out for the LPGA... What made you decide to try out for the tour? How does this experience improve your game?
Elain: I competed in China while I was teaching, but there were too few tournaments then. Therefore I decided to venture outside China. Besides it is the dream of every female golfer to play on the LPGA. Teaching golf and competing in tournaments are two different things. I don't think teaching golf helped in any way when I compete.
What do you think about golf being part of the Olympic game??
Elain: It is great that golf is officially an olympic sport now. Golf in China is gaining popularity, more and more people are picking up the sport.
You can follow her at http://blog.sina.com.cn/yeliyinggolf
