Masters 2026: Haotong Li thought this 8-time PGA Tour winner was a ‘low-handicap amateur’ the first time they played

Don’t expect Brad Faxon to offer Haotong Li any putting tips anytime soon.

We kid, but apparently, the two had a pretty funny first meeting. The Chinese star who shot an opening 71 on Thursday at the Masters, shared a hilarious tale of playing with Rory McIlroy and Faxon a few years back that cracked up the crew at Golf Channel.

As the story goes, McIlroy invited Li to play with him and they were joined by Faxon, McIlroy’s putting coach. But Haotong had no clue Faxon was also an eight-time PGA Tour winner. Take it away, Haotong!

In Haotong’s defense, Faxon, now 64, was far removed from his peak. But, still, pretty funny. Especially to Rory, who obviously spread the story to the point that Li would be asked about it by some of Faxon’s TV colleagues.

Anyway, Haotong—and Rory—certainly didn’t play like low-handicap amateurs on Thursday.