The 25-year-old leads the way by two shots at the midpoint of the PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park, the first major tournament of 2020 after the sport was closed for months due to the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic.
One of Li’s sponsors is WeChat, a matter that did not go unnoticed by reporters after his 65th second round on Friday in California ensured that he is now the first man from his country to hold the lead after any round in any tournament. important.
But the world number 114 was taking it all in stride when asked what he thought about it. A quick “I don’t know. Who knows?” dealt with that particular question!
Instead, it is his golf that prefers to let him do the talking.
After 36 holes at Golden State, he is at eight under par, but with a whole group of players breathing down his neck, including formidable American star Brooks Koepka, who is looking to win this event for the third year in a row.
It’s not that Li is pushing himself. In fact, he seems almost as surprised as anyone to be leading the way, even admitting that he had little confidence entering the tournament after recent poor form and forced shutdown that reveals “I have no expectations actually because you know, the last few months at home doing nothing. I just want to be here and have fun. “
However, not everything is fun. Hours of hard grafting also play a role. Li was clearly not content to rest on his laurels after finishing his second round just after 12pm local time.
While he took a break for lunch and at least got some rest, the Chinese star returned to the field to practice about five hours after his round had apparently ended working with the irons and fine-tuning his putt until seven thirty. video that took social media quickly!
Li, who shot a sensational round of 63 during the 2017 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, has also earned the respect of his fellow professionals, even if there is still room for improvement.
His teammate at last year’s Presidents’ Cup in Melbourne, Adam Scott, said: “We don’t see that kind of consistency in him and that probably matches his personality a little bit. He’s young though and that’s the guy. He plays golf. He plays pretty much all the guns on and when he comes out, he’s really good.
Koepka shrugs off fear of injury
If Li has his first major title in his sights, Brooks Koepka is aiming for number five. The 30-year-old, for whom golf racing is very much his soul, is superbly sitting at six under par after his second round of 68 on Friday.
He is one of six players just two shots behind the lead in his quest to become the first man to win the same major three consecutive times since Peter Thomson triumphed at the 1954-56 Open.
However, treatment for hip pain that required its physical therapist three times in the past nine years may be of concern to the US powerhouse, although Koepka later made it clear that the problem was not related to previous problems with his knee. left.
The American star was quick to downplay any perceived signs of weakness saying the hip is “fine” adding: “It was a bit tight when I was hitting balls in range, but nothing to worry about. We will loosen it again. and it will be much better. “
If Koepka is on the prowl with intent, the same cannot be said for his compatriot and 15-time Major Champion Tiger Woods, who finds himself on par with the tournament after a par 72 of two more.
Woods, who will turn 45 later this year, is aiming for a record-matching fifth PGA Championship crown and a record-breaking 83rd PGA Tour victory to beat Sam Snead by the most of all time.
On Thursday, the former world number one started with his lowest opening round in a major since 2012, but couldn’t build on that momentum after a hugely frustrating Friday with his putter and will enter Saturday’s third round eight shots behind. Haotong Li.
His playmates in a marquee trio, Rory McIlroy and new world number one Justin Thomas, are also struggling to make a good impression. McIlroy hit four birdies in a row to threaten a charge, stopped by a triple bogey on the 12th en route to a 69 and an overall low.
Thomas, who won last weekend’s WGC event to claim first place in the standings, came into the weekend at the cutoff line of par one over after 70, the same mark as Phil Mickelson.
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