Attitude change fuels Feng charge for million-dollar prize

Feng, who won her last two starts on the LPGA Tour and has not finished outside the top-four since claiming the bronze medal at the Rio Olympics in August, led South Korean Ryu So-Yeon and Briton Charley Hull by one stroke.

(Reuters)

"My confidence level is up," said Feng. "Before, I think I took it too easy on myself. When I have a chance to win I always tell myself, 'It's OK, stick to your same plan and if you don't win, it's OK.'

"But right now, I'm actually talking to myself and say, 'When you have a chance, you need to go for it.' That's why I can be really consistent recently.

"I would be more happy if I could win more."

A group of eight players, including two-times major winner Chun In-gee, were another shot back at 64.

Although Thai Ariya Jutanugarn, New Zealand’s Lydia Ko and Canadian Brooke Henderson entered the season-ending event as favourites to lead the Race to the CME Globe points list and win a $1 million bonus, Feng is now in the driver's seat.

"It's not really in my plan," the Chinese said. "I'm not really thinking about it.

"I mean, I wouldn't mind taking the million dollars back home. It would be a very good winter."

(Writing by Larry Fine in New York; Editing by Frank Pingue)