China golfer Li Haotong pushing for Presidents Cup debut and a crack at Tiger Woods’ team
- The victim of a controversial new rule, China’s number one player has responded with stellar play
The Presidents Cup is not in the back of Li Haotong’s mind. It’s up front and centre as he pushes his case to be the first Chinese player on the International team to face Tiger Woods’ all-star United States side.
The 23-year-old Chinese star jumped into second position on the International team standings after his runner-up finish to American Dustin Johnson at the Saudi International.
Two years ago, Li was 14th on the International team standings, thanks to a third-place finish at The Open championship, where he shot a final round 63 in the company of Ernie Els, who is the International team captain.
“I have been wanting to get onto that team for the past two years. I couldn’t make it then, although I came close. This time, I am close again and I want to be in. It will mean a lot to be on that team,” said Li, China’s best hope to win the country a first men’s major.
Although the Presidents Cup is not until December, world number 36 Li is already in a strong position to make the 12-strong team with qualifying ending in August.
“The special thing is if you make the team, you know you have played really solid over a span of time. It’ll be special to play for Ernie. I played with him at the British Open and he’s always supported my career a lot since then. He’ll be a good captain. It’s going to be a huge honour for us, and hopefully I can get on the team and win the event.”
Li’s performance in Saudi Arabia resonated around the world, responding quickly after he became the first golfer to fall victim to one of the new rules in golf.
Li was hit with a controversial two-shot penalty during the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic the previous week for his caddie helping him line up a putt. It dropped Li from a tie for third to a tie for 12th and cost him about US$90,500 in prize money.
Players rallied around Li and even European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley called the penalty “grossly unfair”, although “correct under the strict wording of the rules”.
Two-time European Tour winner Li also made history in the third round of the Saudi International when he made four eagles in a round of 62.
Australian Marc Leishman, who earned his fourth PGA Tour victory at the CIMB Classic in Malaysia last October, remains top of the International team standings as he looks to secure his fourth successive Presidents Cup appearance.
On the US side, Xander Schauffele continues to lead the standings from Justin Thomas thanks in part to two victories this season.
First-time captain Woods this week named the experienced Fred Couples, Steve Stricker and Zach Johnson as three of his assistants for their defence of the cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia from December 12-15.
The Presidents Cup is a unique event in that there is no prize money and players are not paid for their participation. Each competitor allocates an equal portion of the funds generated to charities of his choice.
