Masters 2026: Li Haotong overcomes sickness to move into contention at Augusta National

Most people would call into work sick when they have been up all night with a bug.

Most people, though, don’t play the Masters for a living.

China’s Li Haotong feared he would not be able to play at Augusta National on Friday after spending the morning “living in the toilet” because of illness.

But the resilience he showed to power through and complete his second round was rewarded with a three-under par 69 which propelled him into contention for the Green Jacket.

Li, 30, thought he would only manage to play a few holes before having to quit, but was able to complete all 18 and ended up four under par, two shots behind clubhouse leader Sam Burns.

Asked if he was surprised at how well he played considering his physical condition, Li said: “I am, actually. Especially [because I went] to the toilet last night a lot of times.

“This morning when I got to the golf course [I was] still feeling really bad and kind of living in the toilet.”

Li, who shot a one-under 71 on Thursday, started with a birdie on the first before bogeys on four and seven put him one over at the turn.

However, he settled down on the back nine and landed four successive birdies on 13, 14, 15 and 16 to push high up the leaderboard going into the weekend.

Never mind glugging water and taking medication, it turns out sinking birdies putts is the best cure for sickness.

Li, who is making his first Masters appearance since 2019, joked the flurry left him “feeling good” again.

“I didn’t hit many balls on the driving range. I was feeling really, really bad. No energy, fuzzy, want to throw up something,” he said.

“I actually just planned to play a few holes, see how it goes. If really sick, then I probably just decide not to. I’m glad I survived today.”