GALLOWAY, New Jersey, June 1, 2013 (AFP) - Feng, who ran off four birdies in a row on the back nine, stood on six-under 136 after 36 holes in the $1.5 million event that concludes Sunday, with South Korean Kang Hae-Ji and Thailand's Moriya Jutanugarn sharing second on 139.
After birdies at the par-4 second and par-5 third holes, Feng stumbled with a bogey at the par-3 eighth. Her run of four birdies in a row began at the 14th and included the par-3 15th and 17th holes, but Feng then closed with a bogey.
"My irons and putting have been really good," Feng said. "After four birdies, I was like, 'Oh, maybe I'm doing well right now,' and then started to have a little thinking. And then I made a bogey.
"But I think a 4-under round was still pretty good."
Japan's Chie Arimura, who matched Feng for the day's low round, shared fourth with Sweden's Anna Nordqvist on 140.
Australian Karrie Webb, Americans Michelle Wie and Amanda Blumenhurst, South Korean Park Hee-Young and France's Karine Icher were another shot back.
Eighth-ranked Feng became the first Chinese player to win an LPGA tour event when she captured last year's LPGA Championship for her first major title, a crown she will defend next week in suburban Rochester, New York.
"After that win last year, it really gave me a lot more confidence," Feng said. "This year, I haven't been playing real well. I've made three top 10s on the LPGA but like seventh, eighth, ninth, nothing like really up top.
"I'm in good position this week and if I can have some good results this week, it's definitely going to give me more confidence for next week."
This marked Feng's first week with new clubs from Japanese manufacturer Honma.
"I'm feeling really, really good," Feng said. "Nothing's really different, but I think just more effort, so I like them."
Feng and Guan Tianlang, the 14-year-old Chinese amateur who was low amateur and the youngest-ever player at this year's Masters, have raised the profile of golf in China, which will host a new LPGA event later this year.
"I think it is improving," Feng said. "Last year, I was named best non-Olympic athlete, because last year golf was not in the Olympics, and that was the first time a golfer has been nominated for the award.
"And we all know Guan Tianlang is only 14, and we are from the same hometown. I watched him growing up and how he started playing golf and now he's actually made the cut in the Masters.
"I think there are a few more really good juniors that are coming up, so I think it is improving."
Feng said she suspects golf's profile will grow more in China once it joins the Olympic lineup at Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
"It's a little different for me because they still really don't know what it means," Feng said of China's sports fans. "But golf is in the 2016 Olympics and if somebody from China can do well, I'm sure it's going to change everybody."
Leading second-round scores on Saturday in the ShopRite LPGA Classic (USA unless noted, par 71)
136 - Feng Shanshan (CHN) 69-67
139 - Kang Hae-Ji (KOR) 70-69, Moriya Jutanugarn (THA) 66-73
140 - Chie Arimura (JPN) 73-67, Anna Nordqvist (SWE) 72-68
141 - Karine Icher (FRA) 74-67, Karrie Webb (AUS) 72-69, Park Hee-Young (KOR) 69-72, Michelle Wie 68-73, Amanda Blumenherst 66-75
142 - Jennie Lee 73-69, I.K. Kim (KOR) 72-70, Mika Miyazato (JPN) 72-70, Beatriz Recari (ESP) 69-73
143 - Ryu So-Yeon (KOR) 74-69, Tseng Ya-ni (TPE) 74-69, Jill McGill 73-70, Jenny Shin (KOR) 70-73
144 - Ayako Uehara (JPN) 75-69, Christel Boeljon (NED) 73-71, Jang Jeong (KOR) 73-71, Alena Sharp (CAN) 72-72, Julieta Granada (PAR) 71-73, Ai Miyazato (JPN) 70-74, Pornanong Phatlum (THA) 69-75
145 - Choi Na-Yeon (KOR) 74-71, Lisa McCloskey 74-71, Meena Lee (KOR) 73-72, Caroline Hedwall (SWE) 73-72, Becky Morgan (GBR) 72-73, Lindsey Wright (AUS) 71-74, Christina Kim 71-74, Mo Martin 70-75, Gerina Piller 70-75, Chella Choi (KOR) 70-75