China’s Li Haotong targeting solid Sony Open showing as way to relaunch career after slipping down world rankings
- Once in the top 50 in the world, the Chinese golfer has fallen to 460th after a run of poor form
- But runner-up finishes at the National Games and Volvo China Open at the end of 2021 hint at better times ahead
Once ranked in the top 50 in the world, China’s Li Haotong hopes to use this week’s appearance at the US$7.5 million Sony Open in Hawaii to relaunch his once-promising career, which saw him take down stars including Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka in head-to-head duels.
The 26-year-old has endured some lean times, which coincided with the start of the coronavirus pandemic. But there have been signs of a recovery, with runner-up finishes at the National Games and the Volvo China Open.
Li, who was a member of the International Team for the 2019 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne and a two-time winner on the DP World Tour, tees up on the PGA Tour in a tournament that features defending champion Kevin Na, last week’s Sentry Tournament of Champions winner Cameron Smith, Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama, Korean star Sungjae Im and world amateur No 1 Keita Nakajima.
“First of all, thanks to the Sony Open for this great opportunity to be here. It is a great event and it is a pleasure for me to start my new year in Hawaii. I hope I’ll have a good start,” said Li, who missed the cut in his lone appearance in Hawaii in 2016.
“I have prepared well and I hope to show my strength. I’m really looking forward to this week.”
Li’s slide began in 2020, when he missed eight cuts in 18 appearances, while last year was also one to forget as he missed 14 cuts in 18 tournaments. His struggles on the course have led to him falling to 460th in the world.
In an attempt to climb back up the rankings, Li is working with a new coach, Jamie Mulligan, who also coaches reigning FedExCup champion Patrick Cantlay.