Get to know Haotong Li: Surprise near top of Open Championship leaderboard

Haotong Li is only a couple strokes behind after two rounds of the 2025 Open Championship. Can he make a push for his first PGA Tour win?

The 2025 Open Championship is nearly halfway done at Royal Portrush. The World's No. 1 player, Scottie Scheffler, leads the field at 10-under but Haotong Li of China has been a surprising competitor so far.

Li is 8 under for the tournament after 36 holes, two strokes behind Scheffler. His play so far has put him on path for grabbing his first ever PGA Tour win.

Haotong Li PGA Tour history

Li, 29, turned pro in 2011 and made a name for himself on the European Tour. Winning at the Nanshan China Masters, BMW International Open and most recently the 2025 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, Li proved his skills on the international stage. He made it to the PGA Tour in 2013 and played in The Open Championship for the first time in 2017. He finished third that year, six strokes behind the winner Jordan Spieth. Li has put himself in a good position to be within reach of the Claret Jug.

Haotong Li European Tour Career

Li is a part of the European Tour and he has four wins since 2014. Li won the Volvo China Open, Omega Dubia Desert Classic, BMW International Open and the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. His win in the Dubai Desert Classic came after a playoff against Rory McIlroy in which McIlroy had won the tournament twice before falling to Li.

What channel is British Open on Saturday? Time, TV schedule

  • TV channel: USA, NBC
  • Start time: 5 a.m. ET on USA, 7 a.m. on NBC

Watch it here: Stream your favorite shows, the biggest blockbusters and more.

Round 3 of the 2025 British Open will broadcast nationally on USA Network from 4 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Streaming options include Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers.

China's Haotong Li in action during the first round of the 153rd Open Championship Royal at the Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland on July 17, 2025.

Where to watch The Open on streaming

  • Live stream: Peacock | Fubo (free trial)
  • Start time: 1:30 a.m. ET

Full coverage, plus featured groups and holes, are available on Peacock, NBC's subscription streaming service, starting at 1:30 a.m.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Haotong Li in contention at Open Championship for first major title

Category: General Sports