AUGUSTA, Ga. — Haotong Li has battled 90 other Masters players and 18 holes of Augusta National.
And his belly.
On Friday, the pro followed a one-under 71 in the first round with a 69 in Round 2, and he is tied for seventh and eight shots off the lead. Rory McIlroy after 36 holes. But it wasn’t easy, because he said he felt restless.
After his second round, he said he was surprised by his game.
“I especially went to the bathroom last night too many times,” pro chinese said, “and this morning when I got to the golf course and I still feel really bad and like living on the toilet.
“I didn’t hit a lot of balls in the driving distance. I was feeling really, really bad. No energy, groggy, I want to putt something. I actually just planned to play a few holes, see how it goes. If I’m really sick, then maybe I just decide not to.
“So glad I survived today.”
You couldn’t tell from his record that he was struggling, especially late. Li bogeyed 4 and 7 after a birdie at 2. He birdied the par-5 13th after somehow avoiding Rae’s Creek in front of the green with his second shot. He bogeyed the par-4 14th after nearly going for eagle. He bogeyed the par-5 15th after getting up a few feet after hitting the green with his second shot. (“That was a super strong chip there,” he said.
Afterward, Li said he was feeling better, which led to an obvious question: He did Augusta National AND Masters cure it?
“Absolutely,” Li said. “Major makes me feel good.”
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