PGA Tour: China’s Li Haotong finishes Sony Open full of confidence as he looks to get career back on track
- Chinese golfer finishes in tie for 12th in Hawaii after putting lets him down in final round
- Li looking to climb back up the rankings after a difficult two years saw him fall to 460th
China’s Li Haotong narrowly missed out on a top-10 finish at the Sony Open in Hawaii, but came away full of confidence as he tries to get his career back on track.
The 26-year-old birdied the final hole at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu for a closing 1-under 69, good for a share of 12th at 15-under in the US$7.5 million PGA Tour event.
Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama won the tournament in a playoff against Russell Henley after both players tied on 23-under.
From inside the world’s top-50, Li’s world ranking has tumbled to his current 460th position after a difficult two years and he was pleased with his overall display, despite starting the final round just four shots off the lead.
In the end, Li paid the price from missing makeable birdies on 2, 3 and 6.
The two-time DP World Tour winner knocked in birdies on nine and 10 from inside of 10ft, but gave the shots back on 11 and 13 before finishing with a flourish by sticking his approach to a foot on the last.
“I missed many opportunities as my putting was not good,” Li said. “But overall it wasn’t bad. It is my first tournament in the new year, it is a positive start for me. I have hopes for the new season.”
Li knows his game remains a work in progress after switching coaches to Jamie Mulligan, who also works with reigning FedEx Cup champion Patrick Cantlay.
“I’ve got to improve my tee shots. Less fades and more straight. But I think I am on the right track,” he said. “This week has given me a lot of positive feedback and made me find more confidence. I hope I can do better in the following tournaments.”
In the Korn Ferry Tour’s season opening event, The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic at Sandals Emerald Bay, which began on Sunday, China’s Zhang Xinjun earned a share of the first round lead with a solid 4-under 68. Compatriot Marty Zecheng Dou carded a 70 for a tie for seventh while Carl Yuan was a further stroke back.
“I played solid,” Zhang said. “Only one bogey at the 16th hole because I had a problem on tee shot. I saved several pars even though I didn’t do too well with my tee shots. It was exciting and I got a bit lucky too. The wind made it a testing course, but I think I had a good day and I’m satisfied.”
The 34-year is back on the Korn Ferry Tour after losing his card on the PGA Tour last season and he is prepared to grind it out again on the development circuit which he won twice in 2019.
“I feel I am more comfortable with myself over the years playing on Korn Ferry and PGA Tour. I feel more at ease playing tournaments,” Zhang said.
