Home Comforts: Li and Ding Embrace Spotlight at Volvo China Open
Chinese stars relish challenge as Shanghai hosts 30th edition of prestigious tournament
Seoul, Korea - Haotong Li and Wenyi Ding are eager to impress as the Volvo China Open returns to Shanghai for its 30th anniversary, with the pair leading a strong local contingent at Enhance Anting Golf Club.
Li, who clinched his maiden DP World Tour title at this event in 2016, arrives buoyed by a recent win at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. “It’s such a great honour to play at home,” said Li. “There’s a lot of memories, especially from 2016. The pressure and the crowd – I enjoy all of it.”
Ding, embarking on his rookie campaign via the Global Amateur Pathway Rankings, is equally thrilled. “I’m so excited to be here in my home country. It’s a tough course but I’ll just try my best,” he said. “It’s really different this week with the change in wind and temperature.”
The field includes 38 Chinese players, among them former champions Ashun Wu, Zhang Lianwei and Zhang Jin. Defending champion Adrian Otaegui returns, while Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen – the field’s highest-ranked player – makes his first DP World Tour start since a promising PGA TOUR stint.
As the Asian Swing reaches its penultimate stop, all eyes in Shanghai will be on Li and Ding – flagbearers of a new era in Chinese golf.