MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 9, 2026

Haotong Li

Quick Quotes

Q. So tell us about your round. What went well for you?

HAOTONG LI: Yeah, I've been play quite solid until No. 5. Had a poor tee shot, and then pretty much the first few holes just kind of hanging in there.

Made three foot for -- four foot for birdie on 9 which is a little bit disappointed. Wrong club off the tee on 10.

But I just telling myself stay patient and pretty much since 11 everything is kind of going towards my way.

Q. This isn't the first time you started well here and in a major. What's with the majors and your game?

HAOTONG LI: I just felt super calm every time play in majors, and I truly grateful and enjoy the environment here. And, yeah, just hopefully I can bring something good during the weekend.

Q. Can you tell us a little bit about the eagle on 15.

HAOTONG LI: Yeah, I actually -- that was half decent lie, a little bit into the grass. Supposed to hit a 6 but I decided to hit a 5 just to making sure cover the water. Supposed to try hit a little bit of cut but end up little draw because the wind and the lie was above my feet.

And I say it's quite lucky break because I supposed to play right part of the green instead like end up left, so it's kind of lucky break.

Obviously holed that as well, yeah.

Q. So the last thing from me: What makes you calm at the majors? What are the things that help you with that?

HAOTONG LI: Well, because last few weeks things just didn't go my way and I've been work super hard on my game. Felt like super close. Even came in this week it's a little bit low confidence. Just try to enjoy and hopefully keep play like this for the next few days.

Q. Are there any specific shots or holes on this course that you think are a little bit more difficult to the point you have to lock in mentally to focus to make that shot?

HAOTONG LI: Yeah, lock in, I think there is a lot tee shot for me that's a little bit uncomfortable, especially 10, 7, 17. There is a hole -- because I hit a pull cut all the time under the pressure, and there is a tree like literally next to me, so I just kind of need to go through those tee shots. And also 9. Then I'll be all right.

Q. I want you to think back to your first Masters appearance. A lot people in different sports have their welcome to the, say, NBA moment. A reality check moment. For you do you think -- what was your welcome-to-the-Masters moment?

HAOTONG LI: Well, at that point I am actually better world ranking player play the first of Masters. Was highly confidence in this week and play with Freddy Couples. That also help me more enjoy that every bit of Masters and Augusta.