Haotong Li keeps calm in debut to rise up Masters leaderboard

The young golfer from the world’s most populated nation seems to have a knack for golf’s biggest stages.

Haotong Li of China was among the Masters Tournament's co-leaders Thursday afternoon, but was also among the handful of players who slipped to 3 under with a bogey on the 18th.

For a day, anyway, the 22-year-old held off conventional wisdom by debuting at Augusta National in such fine fashion. But he fully defied conventional wisdom with his claims of calm when he stepped to the first tee.

“Actually, I thought I (was) going to be nervous on the first tee,” he said. “It was all right. So, just quite happy to have such a great opening round.”

Li’s good start is noteworthy for those into omens. His second career European Tour victory came three months ago at the high-profile Dubai Desert Classic, where he outdueled Rory McIlroy down the stretch. Each of the past two Masters winners – Danny Willett and Sergio Garcia – won at Dubai before claiming his green jacket.

PHOTOS: Pictures from the First Round at Augusta National

“Well, at least it's a good sign for myself, and hopefully I can join them,” he said.

Li earned his Masters invite with a third-place finish in last year’s British Open, where he shot 63 on Sunday.

His first competitive Masters round provided a dramatic contrast between his first and second nines. He parred his first seven holes before making his lone first-nine birdie on the par-5 eighth.

After turning and making a bogey on 10, Li birdied three straight holes. Another bogey, on the par-4 14th, was followed by birdies on 15 and 16 before a par-bogey finish.

Though he grew up on the other side of the globe, Li’s previous knowledge of Augusta National and the Masters came in familiar fashion – through television coverage.

“I just watch on TV all the time,” Li said. “Never miss one on TV. It’s quite unreal for myself, and to be here, play golf here, it’s just a big honor.”

And his overall impression?

“Everything’s … amazing,” he said. “It’s just like on the TV.”