Haotong Li shoots 61 at Biltmore Championship to improve chances for PGA Tour card

Haotong Li has picked up momentum in each round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville. He vaulted into the top 10 by shooting a 10-under-par 61 in the third round on Sept. 19, the best individual round of the tournament and a career-low score for Li on the PGA Tour.

Li, who is from Hunan, China, is battling to keep his PGA Tour card. After struggling through PGA Tour events during the back end of this summer, he was relieved to turn in a sterling scorecard.

“I just try to survive. This is my first year in (FedEx Cup Fall) … and I just try to keep my card and do a solid finish,” the 31-year-old Li said. “And hopefully I can play more golf in America.”

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Li hadn’t made the cut at a PGA Tour event since the 3M Open in June. At the Biltmore Championship Asheville, played at the Cliffs at Walnut Cove, he did more than make the cut.

He is tied for seventh at 15-under 198 heading into the final round. He shot 1 under in the first round, 4 under in the second and broke through in the third thanks to an improved short game and some better-fitting equipment.

“Recently I’ve been switch so many putters,” Li said. “I switch putters probably every week because (I was) struggling with the putting, with the pace. (I also changed) the way I align the ball as well. … Now I just purely with putter. It’s been good so far, and hopefully continue doing something good.”

Li is an accomplished international golfer, with five tournament wins, but he’s struggled on American soil and is still seeking his first career win on the PGA Tour.

His 2026 season started with four made cuts in five straight events and two top-15 finishes at The American Express in LaQuinta, California, and the Farmers Insurance Open. But in the ensuing 17 PGA Tour events Li has played have ended in 13 cuts and no finishes better than a tie for 35th.

Entering this week, Li ranked 133rd in the FedEx Cup standings. The top 125 players earn conditional PGA Tour status. He is 22 points behind the current No. 125, Jesper Svensson, but can make up a lot of the ground by defending his current position at the Biltmore Championship Asheville.

His odds of catching the leaders Neal Shipley (21 under), Ben Kohles (19 under), Eric Cole and Ricky Castillo (17 under) in the final round on Sept. 20 will take some work. But at 15 under, Li is nevertheless in position to keep his spot on the PGA Tour.

Even with all that was at stake, Li played in the early hours of Sept. 19, without showing any signs of stress. He was relaxed, even with all that was on the line.

Li was relaxed and played like it in the third round. He’s a long way from winning the inaugural Biltmore Championship Asheville, but feels more secure in the quality of golf he played and the chances of retaining his PGA Tour card.

“I felt like my game (was) put together today, and especially the last few weeks,” Li said. “Went to Europe, gained a little bit of confidence. And putting, (I was) just really hot today, so I’m very pleased with this score.”

Stephen Thompson covers Tennessee Volunteers men’s basketball. Email him at stephen.thompson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @stephenethom.