Li, paired with 2 ex-winners, T49 at PGA

The 2026 PGA Championship, one of golf's four major tournaments, completed its first round at Aronimink. Chinese player Li Haotong, competing in his fifth PGA Championship, carded a 71 (+1) with one birdie and two bogeys, placing him in a tie for 49th.

This season marks Li’s first PGA Championship appearance as a PGA Tour member. In his four previous starts, his best result came in 2020, a tie for 17th. In 2017, he missed the cut; in 2018, he withdrew; and in 2019, he finished tied for 36th.

Li was grouped with two veterans—47-year-old Jimmy Walker, the 2016 PGA champion, and 49-year-old Jason Dufner, who won the title in 2013. Playing alongside two former champions proved a valuable experience for Li.

Starting from the 10th hole, Li opened solidly. He parred the 10th, then birdied the 11th. From the 12th to the 15th, he made four straight pars. On the 16th, he recorded his first bogey of the day. Still, Li remained composed, closing the front nine with one birdie and one bogey.

After the turn, Li stayed steady. From holes 1 to 4, he made four more pars. Then on the par-3 5th, he struggled on the green for another bogey, moving him to +1. He parred the final four holes to finish with a 71 (+1), tied for 49th. Playing partner Jimmy Walker also finished tied for 49th, while Dufner struggled to a +5, placing him tied for 120th.