‘I was living in the toilet’ – sick Li moves into Masters contention

Li Haotong’s return to the Masters after a two-year hiatus was nearly derailed by illness, yet the Chinese golfer displayed remarkable grit to finish his second round and climb into the tournament’s top tier. While many would take a sick day, few would risk their career on a single day’s performance.

The 30-year-old arrived at Augusta National on Friday morning in a weakened state, describing his condition as “living in the toilet” due to relentless sickness. Despite feeling unwell, he powered through to card a three-under 69, positioning himself just two strokes behind the lead. His resilience was evident as he completed all 18 holes, defying early doubts about his ability to continue.

“I am, actually. Especially because I went to the toilet last night so often,” Li admitted, reflecting on his unexpected performance. “This morning, I was still feeling really bad and kind of living in the toilet.”

Li’s Thursday score of 71 set the stage for a dramatic turnaround. After a birdie on the first hole, he struggled with bogeys at the fourth and seventh to fall one over par at the halfway point. However, a strong finish on the back nine—four consecutive birdies on holes 13, 14, 15, and 16—propelled him into contention. His ability to focus on the course, even while battling nausea and fatigue, proved crucial.

“I didn’t hit many balls on the driving range. I was feeling really, really bad. No energy, fuzzy, and wanted to throw up,” he said. “I actually just planned to play a few holes, see how it goes. If I got really sick, I probably just decided not to. I’m glad I survived today.”

Li’s recovery from illness highlights the mental fortitude required in professional golf. With the leaderboard shifting dramatically, his journey from physical discomfort to competitive form has sparked optimism for his weekend play. Meanwhile, the aftermath of round two hints at potential drama involving MacIntyre, following a controversial Masters gesture that drew attention.