In one of the most dramatic back nines and playoffs we’ve seen this year, Hoatong Li holed a monster birdie putt after a thinned chip to secure his first victory in over four years.
During a final round that seesawed throughout, Li holed a birdie putt of over 45-feet to defeat Thomas Pieters at the first playoff hole, with the 26-year-old’s burst of emotion capping off a return to form that has eluded the Chinese star for a number of years.
Revealing that 10 months ago he almost gave up the game completely, an emotional Li said: “I tried to hit a lot of good putts today, especially on the back nine. I knew it was going to be super tough, but I held in there. Luckily I played my best!”
Beginning the final day, Li held a three shot lead over Pieters, with the 26-year-old looking to secure his first win in four years and 149 days. After a handful of holes, that win looked even more likely, with Li birdieing three of his first five to extend his advantage to five.
Nerves were soon starting to show though and, when back-to-back bogies were made at the sixth and seventh, the lead was two going in to the back nine. Li was just holding on and, when Ryan Fox moved to within one as well as Pieters, the pressure was almost too much.
Li though didn’t give in, with birdies at the 16th and 17th giving him a slim advantage up the last. As both he and Pieters pounded two shots to the green, Li had a putt for the win after watching his playing partner two-putt for a birdie.
His attempt wouldn’t drop though, catching a piece of the right side of the hole before lipping out for a tap-in.
Pieters was looking to secure his second DP World Tour title of 2022
(Image credit: Getty Images)
After an already dramatic 18 holes, we were heading to a playoff and, after Li flirted with the water twice on the par 5 last, it was actually the 26-year-old who was in the driving seat, with a seemingly straightforward up-and-down facing him for a chance at the title.
As Pieters splashed out his bunker shot to eight-foot, Li could put some serious pressure on the Belgian. What…
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