AUGUSTA, GA – Most athletes would call in sick after a night spent battling illness, but Chinese golfer Li Haotong isn't most athletes. Facing his first Masters Tournament appearance since 2019, Li overcame severe sickness to deliver a stunning performance that thrust him into contention at Augusta National.
"I was living in the toilet," Li revealed after his round, describing the gastrointestinal distress that plagued him overnight and into Friday morning. "This morning when I got to the golf course, I was still feeling really bad."
The 30-year-old feared he might not complete his second round, planning to play only a few holes before potentially withdrawing. Instead, he powered through to card a three-under-par 69, positioning himself just two shots off the lead as play continued.
Li's resilience became the story of the day as he transformed from sickly competitor to legitimate contender. After starting with a birdie on the first hole, he struggled through bogeys on four and seven, sitting one over par at the turn. Then came the magic on Augusta's famous back nine.
In a remarkable four-hole stretch, Li birdied the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th holes, climbing the leaderboard and proving that sometimes the best medicine isn't found in a bottle.
"I'm actually surprised at how well I played considering my physical condition," Li admitted. "I didn't hit many balls on the driving range. I was feeling really, really bad—no energy, fuzzy, wanting to throw up."
The golfer joked that his birdie binge left him "feeling good" again, a testament to the mental fortitude required to compete at golf's most prestigious tournament. His performance puts him in position to challenge for the Green Jacket this weekend, a remarkable turnaround for someone who nearly withdrew before teeing off.
Li's story adds another chapter to Masters lore—a tale of determination triumphing over physical adversity on one of golf's most demanding stages.