The Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medallist carded a six-under-par 66 to set the clubhouse target at the course owned by controversial American President Donald Trump, where a storm caused play to be suspended for more than two hours during the afternoon.

The 27-year-old’s closest challenger is South Korea’s Amy Yang, who posted a five-under 67.

Spain’s Carlota Ciganda is one of three players on four-under along with world number one So Yeon Ryu of South Korea and New Zealand’s Lydia Ko.

Ciganda is only through 17 holes though, with play stopped for the day at 8.33pm local time.

The last group have six holes to finish tomorrow morning.

Feng started on the back nine holes and followed up a par at the 10^th with three successive birdies. 

Another hat-trick of birdies came at the 17^th, 18^th and first before eight consecutive pars completed a bogey-free round.

"I started the round really solidly," Feng said.

"I had three birdies in the first four holes.

"After that I felt comfortable about everything."

Organisers ignored calls to move the event from Trump National, which was awarded the tournament in 2012.

Pressure on the United States Golf Association to find an alternative venue has grown since last year amid disrespectful comments made by the US President towards women.

In October, the month before he was elected, a video from 2005 emerged of Trump bragging about how "you can do anything" to women "when you are a star".