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.
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“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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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein smiles while attending the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein smiles while attending the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
A PGA Tour lanyard reflects on the screen of a spectator’s phone during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
A golfer warms up in a bunker during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Beau Hossler plays an approach shot as spectators watch during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein speaks with the course behind him during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Joel Dahmen plays an approach shot during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
UNC Asheville Chancellor Dr. Kimberly van Noort makes her way along the course during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Beau Hossler plays an approach shot as spectators watch during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Hospitality areas overlook the 18th green during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Spectators walk past an Explore Asheville display during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Adam Svensson hits an approach shot alongside his caddie during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Players and caddies walk near the 18th green during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Kevin Yu tees off during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Steven Fisk walks the course during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Adam Schenk walks the course during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Neal Shipley, the second-round leader at 15-under, exchanges a fist bump during the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
John VanDerLaan putts during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Ricky Castillo walks the course during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
A spectator wears a Biltmore Championship Asheville hat during the second round at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Golfers practice on the putting green during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein speaks with members of the media during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Neal Shipley pulls out a club during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Griffin Collins, of Nashville and now living in Atlanta, watches the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026. Collins is getting married the following day.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Marco Penge hits from the No. 14 tee during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Spectators eat at a picnic table during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
A spectator wears a Biltmore Championship Asheville hat during the second round at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Neal Shipley, the second-round leader at 15-under, walks the course during the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Li Haotong takes a practice swing during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Golfers and caddies walk toward the 17th green during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Spectators make their way along the course during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Marco Penge waits near the No. 14 tee during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Neal Shipley, the second-round leader at 15-under, walks the course during the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Phillip Yribarren walks with his caddie during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Brendan Valdes takes a practice swing during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
A Bear’s Smokehouse vendor hands an order to a customer during the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Anna Catherine speaks with the Asheville Citizen Times during the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Austin Smotherman plays a shot during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Spectators move along the course near a leaderboard during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Fabian Gomez waits during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Harry Higgs plays a shot during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Bear’s Smokehouse owner Cheryl Antoncic Suess speaks with the Asheville Citizen Times during the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
Peter Malnati speaks with media during the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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PGA Tour returns to Asheville for Biltmore Championship, our best photos
A course map and event signage are displayed during the second round of the Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Josh Bell / Asheville Citizen Times)
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.”
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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.
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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.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Haotong Li shoots 61 at Biltmore Championship to improve chances for PGA Tour card
