How would you feel if you’ve trained hard, practiced to your absolute limits, and still, you’re ranked 467th in the world? China’s professional golfer, Li Haotong, missed the cut1 14 times last year. Missing the cut is enormous for golf athletes. If you do so, then you won’t be able to play in the final rounds. You won’t have the chance to bring a trophy home. After missing 14 cuts in 2021, Li’s world rank dropped to 467.
Last week, the BMW International Open was held in Munich, Germany. Li grasped the first three rounds to finally earn his spot in the play-offs. There Li dodged the water twice and thinned a chip2 slightly past the flag before making a birdie putt. Thomas Pieters, the Belgian ranked 23rd in the world, missed.
After making the 50ft putt, Li claimed the tournament trophy. It gave Li, currently ranked world No. 281, his first win in four years. Afterward, in an interview, Li said he considered quitting golf 10 months ago.
“I don’t have the words to describe right now,” said Li, emotionally.
“Ten months ago, I just literally decided to quit golf, and somehow where I am now, it’s just hard to describe…”
Li needed birdie putts in the 16th and 17th holes in the final round to have a lead against Pieters. But luckily, on the 18th hole, Li’s putt helped him secure a foothold. “I tried to hit a lot of good putts today, especially on the back nine – those three putts, including the last one,” said Li. Pieters putted a birdie to force play-offs since they both finished 22 under par.
“I had no idea I could win this play-off. Luckily things happened for me again.”
“I already knew it was going to be super tough, and I just kept telling myself ‘hang on in there.”
For the athletes who didn’t win. It doesn’t matter. Losses are an inevitable component of future success. For Li, the hard work paid off, and his outstanding performance is a testament to his training.
“It doesn’t matter, win or lose – I just want to play my best out there, and luckily I did.” said Li.
Tournament Leaderboard:
1. 22 Li (Chn)*
2. 22 Pieters (Bel)
3. 20 Fox (NZ)
4. 18 Valimaki (Fin)
5. 17 Larrazabal (Spa)
6. 17 Langasque (Fra)
7. 17 Von Dellingshausen (Ger)
8. 16 Oosthuizen (SA)
9. 16 Smith (Eng)
10. 14 Ramsay (Sco)
11. 12 Ferguson (Sco)
After winning, Li got rewarded €340,000 (roughly 354,000 USD). Li will also get the new BMW i7.
1. In golf, if you miss the cut, you fail to match or improve the score necessary to remain in the final two rounds of a four-round tournament (resulting in elimination). (Source: here)
2. In golf, A “thin shot” is one in which the clubhead strikes the golf ball too high (near the midpoint of the golf ball, or slightly lower or higher), which typically results in a low, sometimes slicing shot. (Source: here)
Source: https://s3.amazonaws.com/appforest_uf/f1656284024907x220966403023211900/BMW%20International%20Open_%20Li%20Haotong%20holes%2050ft%20putt%20to%20beat%20Thomas%20Pieters%20in%20play-off%20-%20BBC%20Sport.pdf
Last week, the BMW International Open was held in Munich, Germany. Li grasped the first three rounds to finally earn his spot in the play-offs. There Li dodged the water twice and thinned a chip2 slightly past the flag before making a birdie putt. Thomas Pieters, the Belgian ranked 23rd in the world, missed.
After making the 50ft putt, Li claimed the tournament trophy. It gave Li, currently ranked world No. 281, his first win in four years. Afterward, in an interview, Li said he considered quitting golf 10 months ago.
“I don’t have the words to describe right now,” said Li, emotionally.
“Ten months ago, I just literally decided to quit golf, and somehow where I am now, it’s just hard to describe…”
Li needed birdie putts in the 16th and 17th holes in the final round to have a lead against Pieters. But luckily, on the 18th hole, Li’s putt helped him secure a foothold. “I tried to hit a lot of good putts today, especially on the back nine – those three putts, including the last one,” said Li. Pieters putted a birdie to force play-offs since they both finished 22 under par.
“I had no idea I could win this play-off. Luckily things happened for me again.”
“I already knew it was going to be super tough, and I just kept telling myself ‘hang on in there.”
For the athletes who didn’t win. It doesn’t matter. Losses are an inevitable component of future success. For Li, the hard work paid off, and his outstanding performance is a testament to his training.
“It doesn’t matter, win or lose – I just want to play my best out there, and luckily I did.” said Li.
Tournament Leaderboard:
1. 22 Li (Chn)*
2. 22 Pieters (Bel)
3. 20 Fox (NZ)
4. 18 Valimaki (Fin)
5. 17 Larrazabal (Spa)
6. 17 Langasque (Fra)
7. 17 Von Dellingshausen (Ger)
8. 16 Oosthuizen (SA)
9. 16 Smith (Eng)
10. 14 Ramsay (Sco)
11. 12 Ferguson (Sco)
After winning, Li got rewarded €340,000 (roughly 354,000 USD). Li will also get the new BMW i7.
1. In golf, if you miss the cut, you fail to match or improve the score necessary to remain in the final two rounds of a four-round tournament (resulting in elimination). (Source: here)
2. In golf, A “thin shot” is one in which the clubhead strikes the golf ball too high (near the midpoint of the golf ball, or slightly lower or higher), which typically results in a low, sometimes slicing shot. (Source: here)
Source: https://s3.amazonaws.com/appforest_uf/f1656284024907x220966403023211900/BMW%20International%20Open_%20Li%20Haotong%20holes%2050ft%20putt%20to%20beat%20Thomas%20Pieters%20in%20play-off%20-%20BBC%20Sport.pdf
