Rising Feng hungry for maiden victory

Delivering a speech on behalf of Chinese players, hounded by fans for signatures and group photos and with her named emblazoned across headlines, Feng Shanshan has enjoyed a meteoric rise to stardom thanks to an outstanding rookie campaign on the US LPGA Tour.

It's a different story from last year's Orient China Ladies Open in Xiamen in southeast China's Fujian province, where Japan LPGA tour star Zhang Na hogged the limelight while the then 18-year-old Feng spent most of her time practicing with her father.

"Yes, I noticed the difference, I'm happy to be noticed and supported by more fans and media," smiled Feng, who finished the 2008 season 36th on the LPGA money list.