Can Li Haotong change golf? – China star shoots brilliant 63 in final round of British Open
Praise for the youngster after he surges up the leaderboard with a round just one shy of the record for a major
Chinese prodigy Li Haotong caused a sensation in the British Open on Sunday as he shot a seven-under par 63 in his final round at Royal Birkdale to finish on six under par overall – with American golf commentator Brandel Chamblee saying in a tweet that a Li victory “would change golf”.
Li, 21, started the day at +1 for the championship and parred his first seven holes before a remarkable run of seven birdies and four pars in his remaining 11 holes.
It is just the 32nd round of 63 ever recorded in a major championship and just the 11th achieved at a British Open.
The score was the all-time low in a major until Saturday, when South Africa’s Branden Grace broke new ground with an unprecedented 62 in the third round.
Playing with South Africa’s Ernie Els, a two-time former British Open winner, Li sealed his superb effort with an immaculate approach shot to within five feet of the pin on 18, leaving an easy birdie putt.
He made birdie at each of his last four holes.