Haotong Li stands as one of China’s most promising golfers, currently making waves at the 2025 Open Championship where he finished in second place. The 29-year-old Chinese professional golfer has overcome career highs and lows to become a household name in Chinese golf and a respected competitor on the international stage.
In this article, you will know Haotong Li’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more information about this remarkable golfer.
Haotong Li’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Li Haotong |
| Date of Birth | August 3, 1995 |
| Age | 29 years |
| Nationality | Chinese |
| Birthplace | Hunan, China |
| Residence | Shanghai, China |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight | 165 lbs (70 kg) |
| Turned Pro | September 1, 2011 |
| Net Worth | $5 million |
| Career Earnings | $3.88 million |
| Relationship Status | Single |
| Instagram Profile | @haotong66 |
| Twitter Profile | @haotong_li |
Early Career
Haotong Li’s journey into golf began in an unconventional way that would shape his entire career. Born in Hunan province, China, Li was introduced to golf by his father, who owned a car dealership and played golf as a hobby. Li initially served as his father’s caddie, carrying his clubs around the course and learning the game by observation.
His passion for golf ignited when he was just 10 years old, and it quickly became apparent that Li possessed exceptional talent. Once Li consistently began beating his father on the golf course, his parents made a life-changing decision that demonstrated their faith in their son’s potential. They quit their jobs and committed to traveling the world with Li, supporting his dream of becoming a professional golfer.
This early support proved crucial to Li’s development. As a 14-year-old junior, he achieved his first significant milestone by winning the 2010 Volvo China Junior Match Play.
This victory earned him a spot in the 2011 Volvo China Open, marking his first exposure to professional-level competition. The experience at such a young age provided valuable insight into what professional golf demanded and motivated Li to turn professional shortly thereafter.
Professional Career
Li made the bold decision to turn professional on September 1, 2011, at just 16 years old. His early professional career began on the OneAsia Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia, where he started building his foundation as a competitive golfer. The transition from amateur to professional golf at such a young age required tremendous dedication and maturity.
His breakthrough year came in 2014 when Li won the PGA Tour China’s Order of Merit after capturing three victories. This dominant performance showcased his potential and earned him recognition as one of China’s most promising young golfers. His success in 2014 also made him the first-ever Chinese member of the Web.com Tour after graduating from PGA Tour China.
Li’s victory at the Nanshan China Masters at age 19 was particularly significant, as it made him the youngest winner on the Asian Tour. He continued his upward trajectory by joining the European Tour in 2016, where he captured his maiden European Tour victory at the Volvo China Open.
This win was historic, making him the fourth Chinese golfer ever to win the event and establishing him as a rising star in international golf. His career reached another peak in 2018 when he won the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, defeating Rory McIlroy in a thrilling finale.
Caddie
Haotong Li currently works with Jady de Beer, an experienced South African caddie who has become an integral part of Li’s team. De Beer, originally from Pretoria, South Africa, turned professional as a caddie in November 2010 and brings over 15 years of experience to the role.
Before joining Li’s team between 2022 and 2024, de Beer worked with several prominent South African professionals including Darren Fichardt, George Coetzee, and JC Ritchie.
His seasoned perspective and strategic guidance have proven invaluable during high-pressure situations, drawing from years of exposure to varied course conditions and tournament environments.
Li has previously worked with other caddies, including Mike Burrow, who was involved in a controversial penalty situation during the 2019 Omega Dubai Desert Classic. The penalty cost Li a significant prize money opportunity when Burrow violated a new rule regarding caddie positioning during putting.
Haotong Li’s Net Worth Details
Haotong Li’s net worth is estimated to be $5 million as of 2025.
Career Earnings
| Year | Earnings |
|---|---|
| 2015-16 | – |
| 2016-17 | $706,722 |
| 2017-18 | $323,631 |
| 2018-19 | $179,581 |
| 2019-20 | $156,500 |
| 2020-21 | – |
| 2021-22 | $172,155 |
| 2022-23 | – |
| 2023-24 | $97,650 |
| 2024-25 | $409,592* |
Endorsements
Li has secured several lucrative endorsement deals that significantly contribute to his overall net worth. His primary sponsors include Nike for apparel, Rolex for luxury timepieces, and TaylorMade for golf equipment.
He also has partnerships with Ali Baba and was previously sponsored by WeChat, the popular Chinese social media platform.
His equipment deal with TaylorMade, signed in 2022, reflects his return to the brand he used when first turning professional. Li expressed his satisfaction with TaylorMade products, particularly praising their driver design and ball speed capabilities.
These endorsement relationships not only provide financial support but also enhance his visibility and marketability as a professional golfer, particularly in the lucrative Chinese market.
Career Stats
| Tournament Type | Wins | Best Finish | Appearances | Cuts Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masters Tournament | 0 | T32 (2018) | 2 | 2 |
| PGA Championship | 0 | T17 (2020) | 4 | 2 |
| U.S. Open | 0 | T16 (2018) | 3 | 3 |
| The Open Championship | 0 | 3rd (2017) | 5 | 2 |
| DP World Tour | 4 | Winner | – | – |
| PGA Tour China | 3 | Winner | – | – |
| OneAsia Tour | 2 | Winner | – | – |
FAQs
1. What is Haotong Li’s highest world ranking and career achievements?
Li reached his career-high world ranking of 32nd in 2018, making him the highest-ranked male Chinese golfer in history. He has won eight professional titles, including four DP World Tour victories with his most recent being the 2025 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. His best major championship finish was third place at the 2017 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, where he shot a final round 63. Li became the first Chinese male golfer to break into the world’s top 50 rankings and represented the International team at the 2019 Presidents Cup.
2. Who is Haotong Li’s current caddie and what happened with his previous caddie penalty?
Li currently works with Jady de Beer, an experienced South African caddie who joined his team between 2022 and 2024. De Beer brings over 15 years of professional caddying experience and has been instrumental in Li’s recent success, including the 2025 Qatar Masters victory. Previously, Li worked with Mike Burrow, who cost him nearly $100,000 in prize money at the 2019 Omega Dubai Desert Classic when Burrow violated a new rule by standing in Li’s line of play during putting, resulting in a two-stroke penalty.
3. How did Haotong Li start playing golf and what role did his family play?
Li started playing golf at age 10 when his father, who owned a car dealership, initially had him caddie during his golf rounds. Once Li consistently began beating his father, his parents made the life-changing decision to quit their jobs and travel the world with him to support his professional golf dreams. His family remains central to his career, with his parents still traveling with him globally as he competes on both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.
4. What major challenges has Li faced in his career and how did he overcome them?
Li faced significant career struggles from 2019-2023, including a wrist injury that affected his swing and confidence. He fell as low as 460th in the world rankings and seriously considered retiring from professional golf in 2021. After missing 13 cuts in 16 appearances during 2021, Li contemplated quitting the game entirely. However, his breakthrough came with the 2022 BMW International Open victory, where he defeated Thomas Pieters in a playoff after holing a 50-foot birdie putt, marking his emotional return to winning form.
5. What is Li’s relationship status and equipment sponsorship deals?
Li is currently single and has maintained privacy regarding his romantic relationships throughout his professional career. His main equipment sponsor is TaylorMade, with whom he re-signed in 2022 after previously using their clubs from when he turned professional until 2019. He also has endorsement deals with Nike for apparel, Rolex for timepieces, and partnerships with Chinese companies including Alibaba. His current equipment setup includes a Titleist GT2 driver, Srixon ZXi7 irons, and Titleist Pro V1 golf balls.
