Rivals have Feng in crosshairs

MIAMI - World No 1 Feng Shanshan of China, who won twice in the final five weeks of the 2017 campaign, remains the woman to beat as the LPGA opens a new season.

The 28-year-old from Guangzhou became the first golfer from China mainland, man or woman, to reach the world No 1 spot in November after winning the Japan Classic and Blue Bay LPGA title in China in back-to-back weeks.

"When I finally see the Chinese flag at the top of the rankings, I feel all the efforts over the past 18 years have been worth it," Feng said. "I really enjoyed the moment and hopefully this will encourage a younger generation in China to go for the sport."