At The Open Championship 2025, Chinese golfer Haotong Li finished tied for fourth after shooting a one-under 70 at Royal Portrush on Sunday. The 29-year-old, ranked World No. 111 entering the tournament, was paired with the World No. 1 and eventual champion, Scottie Scheffler, providing fans with memorable moments including a funny exchange that caught widespread attention. Li’s playful interaction with Scottie Scheffler, the Open champion, highlighted the camaraderie between the two golfers amid the competition.
Fun Moments Shared Between Haotong Li and Scottie Scheffler During The Open
Throughout the final round, Haotong Li revealed that the two golfers enjoyed time joking together as they competed side by side inside the ropes. The Chinese player described gaining Scottie Scheffler’s phone number as a personal achievement and expressed excitement about the prospect of practicing rounds together on the PGA Tour in the future. Li characterized Scheffler as “super calm” and recalled a humorous response from the champion when asked if he would reply to texts later.
When Li jokingly asked Scheffler whether he would respond to his messages, Scheffler quipped, “Haotong who?” poking fun at Li’s name. This lighthearted moment highlighted the friendly rapport between the two athletes during a high-stakes tournament.
Reflecting on his time with Scheffler, Li told ASAP Sports:
“It was actually super calm and he’s such a lovely guy to play with. We did a joke about each other a little bit and just so nice to play with him…” —Haotong Li
“I just said, is there any time I can practice with you when I go to the PGA Tour, and he said yes. But I said, when I text you, you better reply to me, and he goes, ‘Haotong who?’ That was actually funny. Just a lovely guy to play with, and I enjoyed.” —Haotong Li
Scottie Scheffler’s Victory and Li’s Respectful Tribute
Scottie Scheffler captured his first Open Championship title by shooting a three-under 68 in the final round, finishing 17 under par overall. He secured the Claret Jug with a commanding four-shot lead over fellow American Harris English. Scheffler’s victory has sparked discussions about his potential to establish a dominant era in golf, possibly rivaling the achievements of Tiger Woods.
Haotong Li, who finished six strokes behind Scheffler, was among the earliest to congratulate the champion on the course. Demonstrating admiration for Scheffler’s performance, Li posted a heartfelt message on social media celebrating the well-deserved nature of the victory, also sharing photos of the two from their weekend together at Royal Portrush.
His tribute read:
“Final group on Sunday is something else. Congrats to Scottie for a well-deserved victory. Thank you #TheOpen – truly a week to remember and cherish, and the start of a new journey!” —Haotong Li
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Opportunities for Haotong Li and Scottie Scheffler
Following his impressive T4 finish at The Open, Haotong Li earned an invitation to compete at the Masters Tournament next year. The Chinese golfer’s performance has pushed him up to third place in the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai rankings, positioning him well to secure a PGA Tour card for the coming season.
Both Li and Scheffler are expected to participate in the Masters at Augusta, where the promise of a practice round between the two adds intrigue to the event. With Scheffler already recognized as a four-time major winner, their growing connection and mutual respect could provide compelling storylines moving forward in their careers.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What was Scottie Scheffler upset about?
A. Scottie Scheffler scored 69 on Thursday at Quail Hollow, but he was upset because mud on the golf balls affected his performance. Famous for his skill with iron shots, Scheffler made a double bogey on the 16th hole at the 2025 PGA Championship because a ball was covered in mud.
Q. What does Tiger Woods think of Scottie Scheffler?
A. Tiger Woods stood out in the clip, giving high praise and sharing deep insights about Scheffler’s unique qualities. He stated, “We both have a similar approach to targeting greens and finding the right spots to land our shots. It’s not always about appearances; the focus is on the bigger picture.”