Feng Shanshan (馮珊珊)

Sport: Golf

Age: 24

2012 earnings: 15 million yuan (US$2.40 million)

2011 ranking: N/A

Born in 1989 in Guangzhou, Feng Shanshan started playing golf at the age of 10 at the insistence of her father, who worked for the golf association in their hometown. In 2004, Feng was recruited as a member of China's national golf team.

After winning twice on the Japan Tour in 2011, Feng emerged as one of the game's top players in 2012. In March, she captured victory in the World Ladies Championship during her first Ladies European Tour victory in Hainan, China. On June 10, 2012, she won the LPGA Championship in Pittsford, New York, as she closed off with a bogey-free five-under par 67, making her the first Chinese mainland player to win one of the U.S. tour's four majors.