But the 19-year-old is sensibly wary of accepting the mantle of role model on behalf of China's young female golfers: "I don't see myself as one. Maybe some of them do. I only just turned professional in December 2007 so I was still a junior player. I was just always practicing with my friends. I don't feel like I'm a different person."

"I won't put too much pressure on myself," she continued. "It's only the beginning of the season. It's also the first time I've played here. All the players are champions here. I'm not even a champion yet. I'm obviously trying to be one but at the moment I'm just trying to get more experience."

Joint leaders Paula Creamer and Jane Park of the USA wait on the 18th green during the second round of the HSBC Women's Champions (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Many of the leaders from Round 1 struggled to make a good score in today's conditions, among them holder Lorena Ochoa. But her +1 still has her well in contention, and only four strokes off the lead. Worst sufferer was one of yesterday's joint leaders, Brazil's Angela Park, who finished with a four-over 76 to fall back to -1 for the tournament.

But the other two of yesterday's top trio, childhood friends Paula Creamer and playing partner Jane Park, remained co-leaders. The two 22-year-old Americans shot one-under par 71s to stand at six under par for the tournament and lead the world-class field by just one stroke.

"Jane and I have played a lot of golf together. We were always partners in team tournaments; we're very close and very good friends," said Paula – the 'Pink Panther' - who has known her co-leader since they started playing American Junior Golf Association events at the age of 13.