Yani's year not good enough for female athlete of the year

Yani Tseng had an incredible 2011 that saw her win 12 events around the globe, including two major championships, LPGA Tour Rolex Player of the Year (for a second straight year) as well as setting the single season earning record.

All of those accomplishments apparently were not good enough for the 22-year old Taiwanese super star to be voted the, AP female Athlete of the Year.

She would ultimately finish fourth in the voting, from the American Associated Press, behind Amy Wambach (winner), Hope Solo and Maya Moore.

Of course, we all remember that the women's US Soccer Team made it to the World Cup finals, though losing to Japan on penalty kicks.

Wambach and Solo were members of that squad.

Moore is a stand out player for the University of Connecticut lady Huskies basketball team, who won the NCAA championship this season.

All of these athletes had incredible seasons, though all of them finished ahead of Tseng and it's easy to point out, they are all team sports -- Where Tseng is in an individual sport.

There are many theories to perhaps why Tseng was not voted the female athlete of the year over these other competitors.

Was it because female golfers had dominated the award over recent years?

From 2003 - 2007, Annika Sorenstam won three in that time, then Lorena Ochoa won it in 2006 and 2007.

Perhaps it was due to the fact it was a women's World Cup year and the US team making it to the finals; though losing, was too much for a non-US athlete to overcome.

Some even went as far as saying that her overall appearance (meaning looks) had something to do with it as well.

I certainly hope that was not the case at all. Hoping that are society would be bigger than that in this day and age.

No matter the reason, Tseng's 2011 was won for the record books and her dominance will not soon be forgotten.

It's easy to say and to think that we may have not even seen the best from this young super star on the golf course.