Feng challenges next gen to follow in her footsteps

"I want to win the Women's China Open the most. Also, I have never finished a season as the order of merit leader before. If I can win both this season that would be a great result, which just makes me want it more."

Despite her decades of experience in golf, Feng is uncomfortable with being referred to as a veteran of the sport and still feels she has yet to fully realize her potential.

"I always remember the years when people introduced me as a young player, and suddenly one year people started calling me a veteran," Feng added. "Then people started to call me 'big sister Shanshan' or 'China's No 1 women's golfer'.

"I thank everyone who supported me like that but, honestly speaking, as a professional athlete, I still have not reached the peak of my career. I always believe, to the end, golf is a sport that you have to challenge yourself. I believe I can still improve."

Feng's next major goal is returning to the Olympic podium in Tokyo next year, having bagged a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Games.

However, asked if winning Olympic gold is the biggest ambition of her career, Feng was clear where her main priority lies.

"For me the most significant goal has always been becoming the world No 1 player," Feng told China Daily. "Because, there can be only one world No 1 player at any time, which means at that time you are the best in the world.

"I was the world No 1 player, which has been great recognition for my professional career. It was also a huge confidence booster and encourages me to improve and compete with younger players."

Now ranked 22nd, reclaiming top spot would be a monumental feat for Feng. Her triumph at July's Thornberry Creek Classic in Oneida, Wisconsin, was her first victory on the LPGA Tour since 2017.

However, while admitting that she has struggled for consistency of late, Feng also points out that embarking on a winning streak is more difficult than most people probably imagine.

"If golf was an animal, it would be a chameleon to some degree," said Feng. "Just like a chameleon that changes its color all the time, each golf course is unique with different grass and terrain.

"The weather is also different at each tournament, so we constantly have to adjust our tactics to cope with different weather, grass and temperatures."