Li Haotong Triumphs at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters with Clutch Final-Hole Birdie
In a thrilling finale to the 2023 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, China’s Li Haotong claimed his fourth DP World Tour title by sinking a crucial birdie on the final hole to edge out Denmark’s Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen by one stroke. The victory marked Li’s first win since the 2022 BMW International Open and further cemented his status as one of Asia’s brightest golfing talents.
Li began the final round with a two-stroke lead, and he quickly extended it with back-to-back birdies on the first two holes. However, the leaderboard tightened as the day progressed. Bogeys on the eighth and 11th holes threatened to derail his momentum, but Li responded admirably with birdies on the ninth and 12th to stay in contention.
Meanwhile, Neergaard-Petersen was mounting a formidable challenge. The Dane, who represented Continental Europe at last month’s Team Cup, caught fire on the back nine, and made his move as he was was six under par through 15 holes.
But just as quickly as the tide turned against him, Li seized control once more. Neergaard-Petersen’s par putt on the 17th stayed above ground, leaving the door ajar for Li. On the short par-four 16th, Li drove the green and rolled in a birdie putt to reclaim the lead at 15 under par.
Neergaard-Petersen wasn’t done yet. He birdied the final hole to post a sensational seven-under-par 65, setting the clubhouse target at 15 under par. The pressure was now squarely on Li’s shoulders as he approached the 18th hole knowing a birdie would secure the win.
After a near-perfect drive, Li found himself in a greenside bunker. His recovery shot wasn’t ideal, but when it mattered most, he delivered. Standing over a 15-foot birdie putt, Li remained composed and drained the clutch effort to finish at 16 under par, securing the victory in dramatic fashion.
“It’s an emotional one,” Li said afterward. “Seems like everyone is quite emotional. I’ve been playing really well, and I handled my emotions nicely, especially on the back nine. Those bogeys were hard to swallow, but I kept telling myself I was still in it.”
Reflecting on the pivotal moments down the stretch, Li credited his caddie for keeping him focused. “On 15, I knew I had to get up and down to have a chance, and I didn’t. But my caddie told me we’d birdie 16 and 17 so we’d be fine. Then I birdied 16 and hit a good putt on 17. On 18, I asked the cameraman what was going on—he said, ‘you guys are tied’—so I needed a birdie to close it out. I did what I had to do.”
While Li stole the spotlight, there were other notable performances during the tournament. Australia’s Brandon Robinson Thompson recorded his best-ever DP World Tour result, finishing solo third at 13 under par. Meanwhile, France’s Antoine Rozner, the 2021 champion, carded a four-under-par 68 in the final round to claim fourth place.
For Neergaard-Petersen, the runner-up finish capped off a stellar week despite narrowly missing out on the trophy. His seven-under-par 65 was the lowest round of the day and showcased his growing prowess on the tour.
Li’s victory was not just a display of skill but also a masterclass in mental fortitude. Despite setbacks and mounting pressure, he maintained composure and executed when it mattered most. His ability to bounce back from mistakes and trust his game in critical moments proved decisive.
As he celebrated his long-awaited return to the winner’s circle, Li expressed gratitude for the support he received throughout the week. “I thought about giving up many times, but I’m glad I didn’t,” he admitted. “This win means a lot to me, and I hope it inspires others to keep pushing forward no matter how tough things get.”
With this triumph, Li Haotong adds another chapter to his storied career while reminding the golfing world of his immense talent and determination. For fans of the sport, his performance at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters will undoubtedly go down as one of the most memorable finishes of the season.
