Unknown Chinese star Haotong Li surges into Open contention with seven-under 63 at Birkdale
Li finished with four straight birdies but just a few weeks ago his mum waded into a pond to pick up a putter he had thrown in there
UNKNOWN Chinese golfer Haotong Li surged into contention at the Open with a blistering final-round 63.
But amazingly it was just several weeks ago his mum had to wade into a pond to pick up a putter he had thrown in there in a fit of rage.
Li, 21, finished with four straight birdies to set the clubhouse lead on six under.
His storming finish would have been enough to tie the lowest round ever in a Major had it not been for Branden Grace's 62 yesterday.
Li's flawless seven-under round started slowly with seven consecutive pars before he picked up shots at eight and nine.
A birdie two came at the 12th before he blitzed the final four holes to give leaders Jordan Spieth and Matt Kuchar something to think about.
Li's storming finale - described as "really special" by playing partner and four-time Major champ Ernie Els - was in stark contrast to his meltdown at the French Open last month.
It was during the first round that he lobbed his broken putter into the drink.
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But his mum chased in after it and gave him a telling off for losing his temper.
Li's closing 63 could prove to be a good omen.
Henrik Stenson fired the same score in the same round last year to life the Claret Jug for the first time.
