Who is Haotong Li? What to know about Masters surprise chasing spot near top of leaderboard

1 hour ago 3

Most of the names near the top of the 2026 Masters leaderboard are familiar.

And then there's Haotong Li.

Li is trying to chase down a spot near the top of the leaderboard, and he's a lot less familiar than some of the big names near the top.

That doesn't mean he's not talented, though. Li may just have a chance to win the green jacket.

MORE: Scottie Scheffler is lurking at the Masters

Who is Haotong Li?

Li is a 30-year old Chinese golfer.

He qualified for the Masters by finishing in the top-four at the 2025 Open Championship.

Haotlong Li is from Miluo City in Hunan, China.

He began his pro career on the OneAsia Tour and the PGA Tour of Australasia.

He then moved on to the European Tour and the PGA Tour China.

From there, it was the Web.com Tour and finally the PGA Tour.

Li previously played at the Masters in 2018.l

That year, he did make the cut, and he finished tied for 32nd.

Li has placed 17th at a PGA Championship, 16th at a U.S. Open and 3rd in The Open Championship in 2017.