THE 153RD OPEN

July 18, 2025

Haotong Li

Mixed Zone

Q. How do you assess today, the rain as well?

HAOTONG LI: Yeah, very pleased. I didn't expect. Actually the last few holes being quite easy, so got lucky.

Q. You held off Rory at Dubai 2018 going down the stretch to win by one shot. How much will that experience be helpful going into the weekend against some of those top players?

HAOTONG LI: Yeah, definitely. Those experiences for sure have been very helpful. But most importantly, we've been working so hard to get in this position. We're supposed to get comfortable on that.

Q. When you say "work hard," can you describe the things you've been working on in the last years?

HAOTONG LI: Well, I think every athlete has been working really hard to get to this point. Yeah, just hopefully have another solid weekend.

Q. What is your life like at home? Do you live near a golf course?

HAOTONG LI: Yeah, I actually living downtown, but the facility in China being really well.

Q. How far is it from your home downtown?

HAOTONG LI: With traffic, probably an hour. Without, probably 40 minutes.

Q. I followed you very closely in 2019 when you played with Jon Rahm and Tiger, and you hit toweringly high shots that went forever but here you've got a much lower flight. How did you develop that?

HAOTONG LI: I think I've been playing in Europe a lot, help a lot, and especially the last few years playing on the DP World Tour and being able to experience different kind of courses has helped my game a lot.

Q. When you were with Rahm and Tiger for those two days, what do you remember best about those two days?

HAOTONG LI: It's like a dream come true to play with Tiger, especially during the Masters. Like I said, I didn't expect, and I quite enjoyed those two rounds.

Q. Of course Rahm went on and won a U.S. Open and a Masters after that. Did you start thinking then that some day you could play at that level? What were you thinking about your own game compared to where they were?

HAOTONG LI: I think if I play my best, again, I can compete with anyone.

Q. During that situation like you're going to be this weekend with the top players in the world, playing against them, do you feel intimidated? Do you feel comfortable? How do you feel?

HAOTONG LI: Definitely want to be comfortable for sure. Will be a lot of pressure for sure, but just have to find a way to deal with that. It's not the first time there, so just hopefully can make something happen on the weekend.

Q. You are such an international player; where would you rank this Open Championship among the other majors?

HAOTONG LI: It's tough. Dealing with the wind all the time, firm conditions. Every major is the same; it's just tough.

Q. If you had a boyhood dream to win one, would it be Open Championship, Masters? Which would it be?

HAOTONG LI: I don't mind which one. I don't mind any major.

Q. Can you talk about Jamie and what he's done for your swing? Also, do you have a favourite football team that you support?

HAOTONG LI: Sunderland.

Q. You're a Sunderland fan?

HAOTONG LI: Yeah, not really because my ex-caddie is a Sunderland fan so I'm just kidding with you. Goughy and I kind of been back and forth for a few times, and we've just been working those pull cut and trying to avoid the snap left, which is when I during the swing yips. Been kind of working so far.

Q. Are you looking forward to having Sunderland back in the Premier League?

HAOTONG LI: Yeah, sure, why not.

Q. You had a wedge that said the most handsome man in China. Do you still carry that wedge?

HAOTONG LI: Probably throw away already.

Q. Can you just tell us what the story was behind --

HAOTONG LI: Well, somehow they just randomly -- the Vokey boys randomly stamp those things for me, and I just took an image to Phil Mickelson, texted him, and he goes, shame for your country. Yeah, it was fun.

Q. What does your necklace represent?

HAOTONG LI: Oh, it's a lucky thing. I wear that since I was 14 years old.