AUGUSTA, Ga. — Haotong Li experienced a memorable, albeit challenging, week at The Masters, highlighted by a blend of personal triumph and physical struggle. The 30-year-old Chinese golfer, residing in Shanghai, expressed sheer delight after meeting comedian Kevin Hart during the Par 3 Contest, calling it "the best day of my life so far." However, Thursday brought its own set of difficulties due to food-related issues.
Li attributed his woes to a lobster roll and poke bowl he enjoyed for lunch, which led him to multiple trips to the restroom the night before his tournament round. "Went to the toilet last night a lot of times," he shared Friday. "This morning when I got to the golf course, I was still feeling really bad and kind of, like, [living] in the toilet."
Despite the discomfort, Li pushed through the second round of the competition with remarkable resilience. In a nod to Michael Jordan's famed "Flu Game," Li shot a commendable four-under 32 on the back nine, finishing in the top 10 and demonstrating an impressive ability to compete against the odds. With another solid performance of 3-under 69 on Saturday, Li found himself just four shots behind the lead, tied for seventh, and set to play with two-time champion Scottie Scheffler on Sunday.
"Still battling," he said Saturday, emphasizing his ongoing struggle was less about the course and more about managing his stomach issues. Li's tenacity is particularly remarkable given his struggles in recent years. He made waves with a stunning 63 at The Open in 2017 but has faced hurdles since then, including a missed cut streak leading into this tournament.
Li last played at Augusta in 2019 alongside Tiger Woods and had to earn his PGA Tour card the previous year after a challenging run on the DP World Tour. Yet, he seems to thrive on major stages, noting, "I just [feel] super calm every time [I] play in majors."
On the lighter side, Li's encounter with Hart had added a joyful spark to his week. After sharing his admiration during the Par 3 Contest, he didn’t shy away from showcasing his personality. “You're my hero!” he shouted, followed shortly by an exuberant, “Let’s f---ing go!” on live television.
His charismatic persona makes him a fan favorite, drawing admiration from fellow players as well. Cameron Smith recalled their time together: "He did not shut up for 18 holes. He was quite impressive. I’ve never heard that many words come out of one mouth in four hours."
As Li heads into the final day at Augusta, he looks to build on his positive moments while facing Scheffler, a familiar rival from last year’s Open Championship final round. Their rapport was evident as they shared laughs, leading Li to remark on their banter about practicing together in the future, showcasing the camaraderie on tour. “He’s just a lovely guy to play with,” Li said in reference to Scheffler’s friendly demeanor.
Reflecting on his journey, Li’s resilience is commendable. The golfer nearly stepped away from the sport in 2021 due to his struggles, but triumphantly returned, winning a tournament in Dubai against skilled competitors like Rory McIlroy. His caddy Jady de Beer summarized Li’s unpredictable performance style: “His good is very good, and his bad is very bad.” Yet, as witnessed at The Masters, when Li is at his best, he remains a force to be reckoned with.
Fans from his homeland have rallied around him, with supporters like Zheng Gang Shen acknowledging his impact on upcoming golfers in China. “He’s getting better and better. It’s a big comeback. He has a very good personality,” Shen noted, reflecting on Li’s growing popularity.
