Victorious Li Hao-tong set to be China’s breakout star

It is a lot to ask of someone who cannot legally buy a drink in his adopted home of Orlando until August, but Li Hao-tong could finally be the male Chinese star the world of golf has been waiting for.

Certainly the manner of Li’s victory in the Volvo China Open suggests the 20-year-old can shoulder the enormous burden of expectation which will now descend on his slim frame, a closing 64 leaving him three shots clear of the field at the appropriately named Topwin Golf and Country Club.

Starting the final round two shots off the lead, Li briefly fell further behind despite three birdies in the first seven holes, with overnight joint leader Felipe Aguilar going one better with four birdies in the same stretch.