Published July 17, 2008 on March 28, 2019

China’s Li Secures Asia’s Lone Win in First Round at WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play

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China’s Haotong Li enjoyed a convincing opening win at the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play, taking down last year’s third-place finisher and Ryder Cup star Alex Noren of Sweden 5 and 4 on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old Li did not trail in his Group 3 match at the Austin Country Club as a combination of hot putting and some uncharacteristic mistakes by Noren gave the Chinese his first ever triumph at the elite 64-man showpiece following three losses in his debut here last season.

Other Asian golfers in the field – Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Korea’s Si Woo Kim and Byeong Hun An and Japanese duo Satoshi Kodaira and Hideki Matsuyama – all suffered defeats in the first of three group matches.

The slender Li, who is a two-time European Tour winner, said: “It feels incredible, especially tomorrow, you know, against Brooks (Koepka). It’s going to make me more comfortable, at least I’m up, got one win already.”

With World No. 3 Koepka and the fourth member of Li’s Group 3, Tom Lewis, halving their match, the Chinese prospect is determined to ride on the momentum of a first victory in the US$10.25 million championship. His putting was spot on as he rolled in lengthy putts of 29 feet, 19 feet and 30 feet for two birdies and one eagle on the fifth, seventh and 12^th holes to run out an easy victory.

“Yeah, my putting was good. I rolled good birdie putts and one eagle as well. I’ve been playing solid, and especially today I had a few holes where I was a little bit off but my short game recovery was very good. And my partner (Noren) just didn’t play his best today,” said Li.

Currently fifth on the International Team standings where he hopes to become the first Chinese to play in the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Club against the U.S. in December, Li is looking forward to his match against Koepka, the 2018 PGA TOUR Player of the Year.

“I just want to play my best and hopefully, I can show him my talent,” he said. “My game is getting better, especially my putting. If my putting is better, I think, everything will be going to be better.”

Korea’s Byeong Hun An was disappointed to lose 3 and 2 to Englishman Tommy Fleetwood in his Group 11 match. An, playing in his third WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, was 2-up through seven holes before Fleetwood rallied on the back nine with three birdies over a six-hole stretch.

“It’s match play and it happens. I played okay. The eighth hole (bogey) was a little bit (of a momentum change) and I missed a putt on nine (from five feet for birdie). Had so many good putts and they didn’t drop. It doesn’t help in match play. I’ve been hitting it okay but not making the putts, they didn’t drop. We’ll see how it goes tomorrow. I’m definitely going to try my best and see what happens. Just seem to be misreading some lines and hitting some which don’t want to go it,” said An, who is a former U.S. Amateur champion.

Countryman Si Woo Kim, the 2017 PLAYERS Champion, suffered a 7 and 5 loss to Spaniard Jon Rahm in his Group 8 match where he did not record a single birdie in the 13 holes which he played.

Big-hitting Kiradech, who qualified for the quarterfinals here last year before bowing out to eventual winner Bubba Watson, fought hard in his opening Group 6 match against four-time PGA TOUR winner Marc Leishman before losing 2-up on the 18^th hole. The Thai star kept the match close with some good play but his putting let him down as he made just three birdies during his the match.

“I fought hard but didn’t make too many putts. I had some chances but the putts didn’t want to go in. It was good that I kept fighting until the 18th hole and Marc then just hit a great shot into 18 to make birdie for the win. I’ve got no choice now but to try and win my match against Bryson (DeChambeau) tomorrow. He is a great player but I will give it my best,” said Kiradech, the first Thai to play on the PGA TOUR.

Japan’s Satoshi Kodaira lost 5 and 4 to Europe’s Ryder Cup hero Francesco Molinari while Hideki Matsuyama fell 4 and 3 to Presidents Cup International teammate Branden Grace.