Li Haotong is relishing the chance to tee it up on home soil again as the Volvo China Open returns to the Race to Dubai schedule for the first time since 2019.
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The three-time DP World Tour winner, who won the Volvo China Open in 2016, has enjoyed a consistent 2024 season, sitting inside the top 50 on the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex having made six cuts from six, including a top ten finish at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
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The Volvo China Open, which is co-sanctioned with the China Golf Association (CGA), will take place at the picturesque Hidden Grace Golf Club – a member of European Tour Destinations since 2019. There are 47 Chinese players in the field this week, including Chen Guxin who earned his DP World Tour playing rights after topping the China Tour Order of Merit last season.
Alexander Levy is looking to win the Volvo China Open for a third time having been successful in 2014 and 2017. The five-time DP World Tour winner has special memories at Hidden Grace Golf Club and holds the course record after he carded a ten under par second round of 62 on his way to victory in 2014. The Frenchman has played predominantly on the European Challenge Tour in recent weeks and returns to China in fine form following four consecutive top-ten finishes on the Road to Mallorca.
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He is joined in the field by Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho, who is hoping to take advantage of an invite with plenty at stake in the final event of the DP World Tour’s Asian Swing. The 22-year-old only turned professional last January, and he quickly made history in the paid ranks by becoming the first golfer from Hong Kong to play in The 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club last year.
Sweden’s Sebastian Söderberg now leads the Asian Swing Rankings following back-to-back runner up finishes, and is now targeting a second Major appearance, with the top three players on the Rankings at the conclusion of the Volvo China Open earning a spot in the PGA Championship later this month.
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The player who finishes top of the Asian Swing Rankings will also win $200,000 and gain entry to the Back Nine events. while the leading DP World Tour member not otherwise exempt will also qualify for the Genesis Scottish Open.
Player Quotes
Li Haotong: It feels great to be back in China. The game feels sharp right now and I’m playing solid. I have played well coming down the stretch over the last couple of weeks and I’ve been tested well.
I’m looking forward to this week and hopefully I can bring some impressive stuff. My confidence has grown recently, especially off the tee and I’m not struggling anymore. There are a few things to work on, but I have been playing much better. It’s going to be a good week back at home.
I have won this event before and I know what it takes to win in China. I also finished in solo fourth the last time I played here in 2019. I know if I play like I did back then, I will have a good chance again this week.
Alexander Levy: I’m really pleased to be back in China. I have amazing memories here because it gave me my first win on the DP World Tour. I love this place and I’m happy to be here. It’s been ten years since my first win and I’m looking forward to some more good energy this week.
My game is back and I’m playing with confidence. Last year was tough but I’m proud of the way I have been able to manage myself and perform this year on the Challenge Tour especially.
This week the goal is to enjoy my golf and do the best I can. I have decided that I will play the full season on the Challenge Tour but it is nice to be back on the DP World Tour and we will see what can happen.
Taichi Kho: It’s great to be out here in China. I feel super grateful and honoured to get an invite from the DP World Tour again. Every time I get an opportunity on this Tour I really try to cherish it and make the most out of it.
Playing professional golf is really a dream come true. It’s something that I have always wanted to achieve since I took up the game and I see a lot of players on the DP World Tour that I grew up looking up to. It’s really cool for me to be able to compete against them and learn things from them. It’s been a great learning curve so far and I’m taking everything my stride so I can’t complain about anything.
Playing in The Open Championship was by far the best experience I have ever had in my career so far. I didn’t play great but in terms of all the things I learnt and playing in that atmosphere is something I would love to get back to. It motivates me to get better every day and hopefully in a few years’ time I can compete at that level week in week out.
