Southport, England: After decades of trying, we’re still waiting for an Asian male to win the Open Championship. When it does finally happen, it would be no surprise if Royal Birkdale Golf Club is the venue.
The fabled Lancashire links hosted the Open for the 10th time last week and once more witnessed another memorable contest.
While it was American Jordan Spieth who was declared ‘Champion Golfer of the Year’ and has had his name etched onto the Claret Jug, the 146th edition of The Open will also be remembered for the heroic performance of 21-year-old Chinese Li Haotong.
Twelve shots off the pace after 54 holes on his Open debut, Li swept into contention – and the consciousness of the golfing world – by covering the final 11 holes in seven-under-par, including four consecutive birdies to end his round.
His closing seven-under return was only the 32nd round of 63 in Major championship history – and just one stroke off the record 62 posted by South African Brendan Grace a day earlier.
That spectacular spree catapulted Li into the clubhouse lead at six-under. As Spieth and Matt Kuchar fell back to eight-under with nine holes remaining, the tantalising prospect of Li earning a spot in a play-off hung tantalisingly in the air.
Ultimately, Li ended third to elevate himself to 63rd in the World Amateur Golf Ranking and raise hopes that he can become the man to inspire a golfing boom in China.
His performance also drew comparisons with the effort of ‘Mr’ Lu Liang-huan who famously finished runner-up to Lee Trevino in the 1971 Open at Royal Birkdale.
To this day, the Taiwanese great’s performance remains the best finish by an Asian at The Open.
“What a legend. I just tried to follow him,” said Li, who now holds the distinction of having had the best finish by a golfer from China in a Major, bettering the effort of Liang Wen-chong who tied for eighth at the 2010 US PGA Championship.
Not even Li, last year’s Volvo China Open winner and a European Tour member, expected to fare quite so well at Birkdale in a tournament he has followed since childhood.
He said: “I first started watching The Open when Tiger was around. I always wanted to play The Open and to play so good means a lot.
“It’s kind of a dream come true. I definitely got a lot support from China, from my friends, from fans.”
Multiple Major champion Ernie Els, who played alongside the Chinese, praised Li’s fearless approach.
The South African said: “He started off a little bit slow, but I think the birdies on eight and nine really freed him up. Then he made an unbelievable save on 10, 11. He didn’t miss a putt. He did everything he could. That’s not the same number as (Brendan) Gracie, but it’s just as good a round, given the conditions were much tougher.”