China’s Li lands Hero Challenge title
China’s Li Haotong won the Hero Challenge on his debut and put himself in a perfect frame of mind on the eve of the seasonending DP World Championship.
Locked in a keen televised battle of target golf competition to a floating green off the Nasimi Beach in the iconic Atlantis, The Palm Resort, Li found the innermost circle around the pin at least once in each of his three rounds as he won the Hero Challenge late on Tuesday night.
He was presented the Hero Challenge Trophy by Pawan Munjal, Chairman, MD and CEO of Hero Motocorp.
“It was a lot of fun,” said Li. “I really enjoyed playing against such great players.” The 22-year-old Li, who is having his best season, was unable to contain his joy as he laughed and added, “I hope Alex and I get to play in the final group on Sunday, too.”
Watched by a crowd of over 1,500 people at the Nasimi Beach, the third and final Hero Challenge of 2017 was a massive hit with the noisy spectators who cheered each shot, whether it found the target or the went into the water surrounding the floating green.
Eight top players were engaged in a unique head-to-head contest. Ironically, Li, third at the British Open this year, was the lowest ranked player at World No. 58, but it was he, who displayed the greatest accuracy.
The first round saw players being given a minute to fire 10 balls at the floating target from around 110 feet. Making it dramatic and ideal for TV viewing was live commentary besides streaming on twitter. Highlighting the atmosphere was a spectacular runway of lights leading into the ocean and illuminating the target.
Three coloured circles were painted on the floating green around the pin. Players got five points for the outer red circle, 10 for the middle blue and 25 for the innermost yellow circle.
Ian Poulter edged out Tommy Fleetwood in the first quarter-final 45-40 before Alex Noren amazingly he found the tiny floating green nine times in 10 attempts and accumulated an incredible 105 points.
Rafa Cabrera Bello lost to Thomas Pieters in a shoot-out (nearest to the pin) while Li eliminated World No. 5, Jon Rahm 60-45.
In the semi-finals, Noren beat Poulter 40-10, while Li again had a maximum yellow (25-pointer) in his 30-15 win over Pieters.
In the final, Li found the innermost yellow circle, not once but twice with his first two shots, while Noren managed only 45, including one yellow, in his three attempts. Despite wrapping up the title with one shot to spare, Li fired again but found only the outer red for a 55-45 win.