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Monday, April 15, 2019, 12:55
Driven to live a dream
By Chuah Choo Chiang
Monday, April 15, 2019, 12:55 By Chuah Choo Chiang

Rising golf star Li Haotong has potential to be a major champion, say other touring professionals

China’s Li Haotong tracks a drive off the third tee in his match against Kevin Kisner of the United States during the fourth round of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club in Texas on March 30. (DARREN CARROLL / AFP)

He has shot a 63 on a major Sunday, stared down newly crowned Players champion Rory McIlroy and earned the respect of Justin Rose and Dustin Johnson after head-to-head duels.

Meet Li Haotong — China’s rising star in professional golf.

The 23-year-old reinforced his growing credentials with a gallant run at the recent World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play in Texas, where he qualified for the round of 16 in his second appearance in the US$10.25 million showpiece.

It was another important step toward earning full playing rights on the PGA Tour.

Fans of the European Tour know Li for his two titles on that circuit, and his victories over Ryder Cup hero Alex Noren and world No 3 Brooks Koepka in the group stages in Texas have further boosted his profile.

Interestingly, Li’s first brush with golf was by chance when his father asked him to accompany a friend’s son to the driving range when he was 10 years old.

Li got hooked to the game; the other boy did not. “That kid is now in the military,” said Li.

After playing on the national amateur team, Li turned professional in 2011 at the age of 16, which was during a period when China’s first golf trailblazer, Zhang Lianwei, was winding down his career.

Li’s rise has been speedy. He won the inaugural PGA Tour Series-China order of merit in 2014 to earn promotion onto the Web.com Tour, then claimed his first European Tour title on home soil in 2016 before finishing an impressive third at the 2017 British Open following a closing 63 at Royal Birkdale.

It marked the best finish yet by a male Chinese golfer in a major.

Early last year, Li created more headlines with a second European Tour triumph when he defeated McIlroy in Dubai, rallying from two shots back with eight holes remaining to secure a memorable win that vaulted him into the world’s top 50 for the first time.

“His game speaks for itself,” said reigning FedExCup champion Justin Rose, who defeated Li in a playoff in Turkey last November.

“He’s got great technique, he’s confident and he’s not afraid to go low as we’ve seen it in major championships. Haotong just needs time. He’s got the potential to be a major champion.

“What I like about Haotong is he works really hard. I see him in the gym away from the tournament … he’s always working hard. If he misses the cut, he stays around to practice. He’s got a great work ethic.”

Li reinforced his credentials with a runner-up finish at the Saudi Arabia International in February, finishing just two shots behind World No 1 Johnson after climbing into contention with a third-round 62 that included four eagles.

Li’s strong performance in Saudi Arabia enhanced his prospects of qualifying for the International Team at the Presidents Cup against the United States in Australia from Dec 9 to 15.

He currently sits in fourth position in the team standings, with captain Ernie Els keeping close tabs on him.

Johnson was impressed with the way Li handled himself during the final round in the Middle East.

“He’s been out here a few years now and everyone knows him. He’s got a good game, a really good talented young player and he’s going to be out here for a very long time,” said the Ame rican superstar.

“He does everything pretty well, hits it pretty long and has a good short game to back it up.”

Behind the tenacity driven by a desire to play his way onto the PGA Tour, the youthful Li is known as something of a practical joker. Fellow competitors and media officials have encountered many rib-tickling moments with his antics.

Arjun Atwal, the only Indian winner to date on the PGA Tour, said Li’s comical side was a big hit with the Asian team that narrowly lost to Europe in the EurAsia Cup in Malaysia last year.

“In our team room, Haotong always made us laugh. He can contribute toward the International (Presidents Cup) Team, 100 percent. It was easy to pair him up with anybody and he was supremely confident. He didn’t lose any matches (Li won 2½ points from three matches) and he made good putts on the final holes to win,” said Atwal, who was Asia’s captain.

On the practice range and inside the ropes, Li is all business and focused on the tasks in front of him. Firmly established now in Europe, he is seeking to break new frontiers.

First up is getting his hands on a PGA Tour card and then becoming the first Chinese golfer to earn a spot in the Presidents Cup.

His good run in Texas has bolstered his hopes of getting his Tour card through the FedExCup nonmember points list.

International Team captain Els enjoyed a front-row seat when Li produced fireworks at the 2017 British Open.

“He’s a confident young man. He’s the new breed of Chinese power golfers, with a great attitude. Li can be a great addition to my team,” said Els.

Li was pleased with his week at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, where he lost to eventual winner Kevin Kisner in the round of 16.

“It was a very good experience. If I play my best golf, I can compete with everyone,” he said.

“I just have to work hard and get my game going. I am more assured of myself now. I feel like the things I thought I might not be able to do can actually be achieved.

“I also have a sense that I am getting closer and closer to the best fields in the world. I hope I can be better and play well on the PGA Tour.

“On the PGA Tour, you feel like a king playing golf. It’s very big and exciting.”

As with most Chinese kids who are taught to remember their roots, Li is appreciative of the early playing opportunities he received from the PGA Tour Series-China and the Web.com Tour, which he said helped sharpen his competitive teeth.

“It meant a lot to me. That opened the door to a career outside of China. Without the experience there, I might still be playing in China right now,” he said.

“That tour (PGA Tour Series-China) was so great for me. It changed my life.”

Li took great pride in representing China at the ISPS Handa Melbourne World Cup of Golf in Australia last November.

After the event, he joined Els and several other prospective International Team players to unveil the new team logo at Royal Melbourne Golf Club.

The logo features the national flag of each player within the team emblem, which Li thinks is very appropriate.

“To have our country’s flag featured in the middle of the logo is fantastic,” he said.

“I really hope I can get in and contribute to the International Team. It would be a milestone for golf in China.”

For a man who has already achieved many milestones, that says it all.

The writer is senior director of communications for the PGA Tour. 

He can be reached at ChuahChooChiang@pgatourintl.com.my


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