Haotong Li earned more prize money in one weekend at the 2025 Open Championship than he had in some entire seasons — a jaw-dropping $730,667 for a tied-fourth finish at Royal Portrush that also secured him his first Masters invitation in seven years.
For the Chinese star who first turned heads at age 16, Haotong Li’s net worth story reflects a career of record-setting wins, elite brand partnerships, and a remarkable comeback from world ranking obscurity back to the PGA Tour stage.
Haotong Li’s Biography
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Li Haotong |
| Date of Birth | August 3, 1995 |
| Age | 30 |
| Birthplace | Miluo City, Hunan, China |
| Nationality | Chinese |
| Height / Weight | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) / 165 lb (75 kg) |
| Plays | Right-handed |
| Turned Professional | 2011 |
| Years Active | 2011–present |
| Tour(s) | PGA Tour (2026), DP World Tour |
| Current Caddie | Jady de Beer (South Africa) |
| Career-High OWGR | No. 32 (January 2018) |
| Current OWGR | Approx. No. 109 |
| Net Worth | $6 million |
| DP World Tour Career Earnings | Over €10.7 million |
| Professional Wins | 8 (4 DP World Tour, 4 other) |
| Major Titles | 0 |
| Best Major Finish | T3 – The Open Championship 2017 |
| Relationship Status | Single |
| Social Media | Instagram: @haotong.li |
Early Life and Golf Journey
Haotong Li was born on August 3, 1995, in Miluo City, Hunan Province, China.
His introduction to the sport came through his father, who played golf as a hobby and owned a car dealership. Li initially carried his father’s bag around the course, learning the game purely by watching.
His passion for golf lit up around the age of 10. Once he began consistently outscoring his father, his parents made an extraordinary sacrifice — they quit their jobs and started traveling the world to support their son’s golfing ambitions.
Li’s early talent stood out fast. At just 14, he won the 2010 Volvo China Junior Match Play, which earned him a spot in the 2011 Volvo China Open field as an amateur. That performance announced him to the professional world before he even turned pro.
He turned professional in November 2011 at just 16 years old, initially competing on the OneAsia Tour and the PGA Tour of Australasia.
In 2014, he exploded onto the PGA Tour China scene, winning four events in the space of eight professional starts.
Three of those victories came on PGA Tour China, earning him status on the then-Web.com Tour — making him the first-ever Chinese member of that circuit.
Professional Golf Career
Li captured his first DP World Tour (then European Tour) title in May 2016 at the Volvo China Open, winning by three strokes. The win validated years of sacrifice from him and his family.
His best major championship result came at The 2017 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, where he finished tied third — a performance that turned him into a global name in golf.
He backed that up in 2018 with his most famous win: the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, where he shot a tournament-record 23-under par to beat Rory McIlroy by one stroke.
That victory, documented on the DP World Tour official player page, made him the first male Chinese golfer to crack the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking.
Li also held the 36-hole lead at the 2020 PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park, eventually finishing T17 — his best result at that Major.
In 2022, he pulled off a stunning comeback victory at the BMW International Open in Munich, holing a 50-foot birdie putt on the first play-off hole to beat Thomas Pieters. It was his first win in over four years.
After a difficult stretch that saw him fall outside the world’s top 500, Li rebuilt his career patiently. His fourth DP World Tour title arrived at the 2025 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, where he birdied the final hole to win by one stroke.
He then finished tied fourth at the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush, earning a coveted PGA Tour card for 2026.
Li has also represented the International Team at the 2019 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne, becoming the first golfer from mainland China to compete in that event.
Caddie
Haotong Li currently works with Jady de Beer, an experienced South African caddie originally from Pretoria.
De Beer began his professional caddying career in November 2010 and has worked with DP World Tour players including Darren Fichardt, George Coetzee, and JC Ritchie before joining Li’s team between 2022 and 2024.
Together, the pair claimed Li’s fourth DP World Tour title at the 2025 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
De Beer brings over 15 years of tour-level caddying experience, and the two are known for direct, candid conversations about shot strategy during rounds.
Li previously worked with caddie Mike Burrow, whose tenure included a high-profile penalty situation at the 2019 Dubai Desert Classic
Haotong Li’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Haotong Li’s has an estimated net worth of $6 million.
He built this financial profile through DP World Tour prize money, PGA Tour earnings, endorsement deals with globally recognized brands, and his standing as China’s highest-ranked male golfer for several years.
His marketability in the fast-growing Chinese golf market adds significant off-course value beyond his tournament winnings alone.
Career Prize Money
Li’s DP World Tour career earnings alone surpass €10.7 million, according to official DP World Tour records.
His combined earnings across the PGA Tour and other international events push his total prize money well above that figure.
His single biggest payout to date came at the 2025 Open Championship, where his tied-fourth finish at Royal Portrush earned $730,667.
His 2018 Omega Dubai Desert Classic win also generated a substantial payout as one of the then-European Tour’s Rolex Series events.
In the 2026 PGA Tour season, Li earned $250,700 with a tied-eighth finish at The American Express and $193,029 at the Farmers Insurance Open, reflecting his early promise in his first full year on the PGA Tour.
His peak tournament earning year was 2016–17, when he collected $706,722 across all tours.
The 2025 calendar year was his most impactful in recent memory, with the Qatar Masters win and the Open Championship top-five combining for well over $800,000.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season / Year | Notable Win(s) | Approx. Prize Money Earned |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 3 PGA Tour China wins; 1 other | N/A (PGA Tour China) |
| 2016 | Volvo China Open (DP World Tour) | ~$350,000+ |
| 2016–17 | Open Championship T3 | ~$706,722 |
| 2017–18 | Omega Dubai Desert Classic | ~$1,074,000+ |
| 2019 | No wins | ~$300,000 (est.) |
| 2020 | PGA Championship T17 | ~$200,000 (est.) |
| 2021 | No wins | ~$100,000 (est.) |
| 2022 | BMW International Open | ~$400,000+ |
| 2023 | No wins | ~$200,000 (est.) |
| 2024 | No wins | ~$172,155 |
| 2025 | Qatar Masters; Open T4 | ~$900,000+ |
| 2026 (to date) | American Express T8 | $464,659+ (PGA Tour) |
Endorsements
Li’s off-course income is a significant part of his overall financial profile, particularly because of his position as China’s most recognizable professional male golfer.
His sponsors tap directly into the booming Chinese golf market, which counts tens of millions of active players and fans.
Li originally signed with TaylorMade early in his career and re-engaged with the brand in 2022 after a period using other equipment. His deal covers metalwoods, irons, wedges, gloves, and staff bags.
He has publicly praised the feel and ball speed of TaylorMade drivers, per the GolfWRX equipment report confirming his original signing.
As of mid-2025, Li’s current setup included Titleist and Srixon clubs, suggesting flexibility in his equipment arrangements outside core contractual items.
Li wears Nike apparel on tour, part of a brand relationship that aligns with his high-profile international presence and marketability to Chinese consumers.
Li holds a partnership with Rolex, one of golf’s most prestigious luxury associations. The brand sponsors Rolex Series events on the DP World Tour, where Li has competed regularly, reinforcing the visibility of this partnership.
Li has a commercial partnership with Alibaba, China’s dominant e-commerce and technology giant. This deal underlines his value as an ambassador connecting global golf with Chinese digital consumers.
WeChat, the Chinese social media platform with over one billion active users, was among Li’s sponsors in a landmark 2018 deal — the first time WeChat entered professional golf sponsorship.
The brand used Li to promote its values to overseas markets during his peak international visibility years.
Career Statistics
| Year | Primary Tour | Events Played | Wins | Best Major Finish | Year-End OWGR (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | PGA Tour China | 8 | 3 (+ 1 other) | — | Outside top 200 |
| 2016 | DP World Tour | 20+ | 1 | — | ~100 |
| 2017 | DP World Tour | 20+ | 0 | T3 (Open) | ~50 |
| 2018 | DP World Tour | 20+ | 1 | T16 (U.S. Open) | ~35 |
| 2019 | DP World Tour | 20+ | 0 | — | ~100 |
| 2020 | PGA Tour / DPW | 15+ | 0 | T17 (PGA Champ.) | ~150 |
| 2021 | DP World Tour | 20+ | 0 | — | Outside top 400 |
| 2022 | DP World Tour | 20+ | 1 | — | ~90 |
| 2023 | DP World Tour | 20+ | 0 | — | ~120 |
| 2024 | DP World Tour | 20+ | 0 | — | ~110 |
| 2025 | DP World Tour | 20+ | 1 | T4 (Open) | ~84 |
| 2026 | PGA Tour | 4+ (to date) | 0 | — | ~109 |
FAQs
What is Haotong Li’s career prize money total?
Li’s DP World Tour career earnings exceed €10.7 million, per official tour records. Adding his PGA Tour starts and other international events, his total career prize money sits well above that figure, with the 2025 Open Championship alone adding $730,667.
What are Haotong Li’s biggest endorsement deals?
Li’s key sponsors include TaylorMade for equipment, Nike for apparel, Rolex for luxury watches, and Alibaba. He also held a notable deal with WeChat, which entered golf sponsorship through Li in 2018 to reach international audiences.
How many professional titles has Haotong Li won?
Li has eight professional titles in total. Four came on the DP World Tour — the 2016 Volvo China Open, the 2018 Omega Dubai Desert Classic, the 2022 BMW International Open, and the 2025 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. The other four came on PGA Tour China.
What is Haotong Li’s best finish at a Major Championship?
His best major result is a tied-third finish at The Open Championship in 2017 at Royal Birkdale. He backed that up with a tied-fourth finish at the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush, where he played in the final group alongside world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
What is Haotong Li’s current world golf ranking?
Li sits at approximately No. 109 in the Official World Golf Ranking. His career-high ranking was No. 32, reached in January 2018 following his Dubai Desert Classic record-setting victory — at the time the highest ranking ever achieved by a male Chinese golfer.
