Haotong Li experienced an unusual yet notable week at the Masters.
AUGUSTA, Ga. — It has been an eventful week for Haotong Li. The 30-year-old professional golfer from Shanghai had the opportunity to meet Kevin Hart during the Par 3 Contest on Wednesday, describing it as “the best day of my life so far.” However, Thursday proved to be quite challenging for him.
The reason, he stated, was the lobster roll and poke bowl he consumed for lunch.
“I went to the restroom multiple times last night,” he mentioned on Friday. “This morning when I arrived at the golf course, I was still feeling quite unwell and basically, like, [living] in the restroom.”
Li indicated that he would attempt to play but would withdraw if necessary. The situation looked grim. “No energy,” he remarked. “Fuzzy, feeling nauseous.”
Michael Jordan had his “Flu Game” in 1997. Haotong Li faced the second round of the 2026 Masters under similar circumstances. After posting a four-under 32 on the back nine, he found himself in the top 10. Following another 3-under 69 on Saturday, he remains in contention, heading into Sunday just four shots behind the leader, tied for 7th and paired with two-time champion Scottie Scheffler.
“Still battling,” Li stated on Saturday. Not against the elements or the course, but his stomach.
Even without the digestive issues, Li’s narrative of perseverance would still be noteworthy. He had a standout performance at The Open in 2017, unexpectedly shooting a remarkable 63 on Sunday to finish third behind Jordan Spieth and Matt Kuchar. However, his journey has not been without difficulties since then. Li had not competed at Augusta National since 2019, when he played the first two rounds alongside Tiger Woods. He also had to secure his PGA Tour card by finishing in the top 10 on the DP World Tour last year. Entering this week, he had missed his last four cuts, lacking momentum as he returned to Augusta.
Nonetheless, Li excels on significant stages — at the PGA Championship in 2020, he led after 36 holes — and his vibrant personality has brought a sense of enjoyment to one of the most formal settings in sports.
In February, Li shared on the “Smylie Show” that he learned English by watching Kevin Hart. He expressed a desire to meet him one day, unaware that he would encounter him on Wednesday at the Par 3 Contest. Naturally, Li was enthusiastic at the event.
“You’re my hero!” he shouted, then added, “Let’s f—ing go!” on live television. He took photos and videos and cheered for his famously supportive mother — at a professional tournament, she once rolled up her shorts and waded into a pond to retrieve a putter he had angrily thrown in — as she took her shots in the Par 3 Contest.
Li may have questionable taste in local dining options, but he has never lacked enthusiasm. Or honesty, it seems. This combination makes him one of the most quotable players in golf and a favorite among fellow players on Tour for entertainment during a round.
“He did not stop talking for 18 holes,” Cameron Smith recalled about a practice round they shared in 2019 at the Presidents Cup. “He was quite impressive. I’ve never heard that many words come from one person in four hours.”
Li’s Sunday pairing will bring him back together with Scheffler, his playing partner in the final round of last July’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush, where Scheffler emerged victorious and Li finished fourth. Reporters observed Li and Scheffler sharing laughs during their round, prompting inquiries about their conversation.
“I just asked, ‘Is there any chance I can practice with you when I go to the PGA Tour?’ and he said yes,” Li recounted, according to Golf.com. “But I added, when I text you, you better respond.”
Scheffler replied, “Haotong who?” Li remembered, laughing and describing Scheffler as “just a lovely guy to play with.”
Li nearly stepped away from golf in 2021 after missing 13 of 16 cuts on the DP World Tour. After winning a tournament in Dubai against none other than Masters co-leader Rory McIlroy in 2018, he went over four years without securing another victory. In one tournament in 2021, he recorded an 84 in a round that included an eagle and a 12.
“His good is very good, and his bad is very bad,” his caddy, Jady de Beer, told Golf.com during The Open last year. However, at The Open, and again here, his best seems to prevail over everything else.
“I just [feel] super calm every time [I] play in majors,” he stated on Thursday.
During Saturday’s round, several fans from China followed his every move. Zheng Gang Shen from Hainan, China, mentioned that he has attended several of Li’s events in their home country. He noted that other Chinese golfers admire him and that he has elevated the standard of other professionals there as an inspiration, expressing pride in Li’s growing popularity.
“He’s getting better and better and better,” Shen remarked. “It’s a significant comeback. He has a very good personality. All the American golfers appreciate him, just like us.”
Li expressed surprise at how well he played after Friday’s and Saturday’s rounds. He seems to elevate his performance at the Masters, having made the cut in all four of his appearances here. In his last round at Augusta in 2019, he shot a 68 and finished strong with six birdies on the back nine.
He mentioned on Friday that despite his illness, Augusta appeared to be the remedy.
“Definitely,” he affirmed. “Majors make me feel good.”
Li has had a standout week and will be positioned near the top of the leaderboard at the start of Sunday’s final round of the Masters, with an outside chance for an unexpected victory. However, he stated on Saturday that competitive golf has not been the highlight of his week.
“I think the most important thing is I really enjoyed Wednesday with my mom,” he said. “Obviously, meeting Kevin Hart in person. [Wednesday was more significant] than a golf tournament.”
