Tranlate this title Haotong Li recalls funny Tiger Woods moment at the 2019 Masters in spanish

Playing alongside one of the greats of golf is always a special moment, particularly for younger golfers who are still trying to make their breakthrough.

Tiger Woods has been the biggest role model for many golfers, who watched him as kids and admired what he was doing on the course.

A lot of golfers who still look up to Woods today hope that they can build careers that are at least somewhere close to what the American legend achieved.

Haotong Li has recalled what it was like to play alongside Tiger Woods at the 2019 Masters, admitting that the experience gave him memories he will probably never forget.

The Chinese golfer had already achieved one of his childhood dreams by playing at Augusta National, but his second appearance at the famous tournament became even more special when he was paired with Woods and Jon Rahm.

Li was only 23 at the time and knew that most of the attention would be on the American legend. Woods was already a four-time Masters champion and one of the most famous athletes in the world.

The 50-year-old eventually went on to win the tournament, taking his fifth Green Jacket and 15th Grand Slam title after finishing one shot ahead of Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Xander Schauffele.

Li recently looked back at those opening two rounds and revealed that he was extremely nervous when he first learned who his playing partners would be.

Li was nervous about playing alongside Woods

“My first dream was to play at Augusta, not even play in a tournament, when I was young, and my second dream was to play with Tiger, and I achieved that in the same place, which is awesome,” Li said.

“My agent told me, he said, ‘I’ve got a feeling they’re gonna pair you with Tiger’, I said, ‘Don’t even joke.’ On Tuesday morning I saw the sheet, I saw I was playing with Tiger Woods. I was like, ‘I’m gonna shoot 90 on the course!’”

The Chinese golfer admitted that the days before the opening round were not easy because he expected huge crowds around the group.

“Funny enough on Tuesday I was so nervous, Wednesday I was so nervous, I was mentally prepared for there to be so many people. Once I get to the tee, once I get through the tunnel on Thursday, I was like there’s not actually as many people as I thought, I actually felt alright! I was like, ‘They’re watching Tiger anyway, so try to relax and enjoy.’”

Li decided to speak to Woods on the first tee and told the former world No. 1 exactly what the moment meant to him.

“I spoke to Tiger on the first tee. I said, ‘Tiger, this is my dream come true. I feel very grateful to pair with you.’ He goes, ‘Yeah, Haotong, we’re gonna have some fun today.’ And we didn’t talk to each other until number eight. He probably realised I actually can play.”

Woods opened the tournament with a two-under 70 before producing a 68 in the second round. That left the experienced American only one shot away from the lead heading into the weekend.

Li remembers funny moment on the 18th

The atmosphere became even louder during Friday’s round as Woods moved closer to the top of the leaderboard.

“On Friday afternoon, he obviously played so well that afternoon. I played with Jon Rahm and him, and I’ve never heard any crowds going crazy like that. Never heard anything like that before, even now,” Li said.

The 30-year-old also revealed a funny moment that happened when they reached the final green.

“I made the cut already, on the 18th, just about to walk on the green, and Tiger slapped on my ***. I had about six feet for birdie, and he slapped on my ***, and he goes, ‘Haotong, roll that ***** in.’ I was like, ‘What? Tiger just slapped on my ***, man.’

I missed it. I got too excited, and afterwards Tiger goes, ‘Haotong, still a decent run.’ That was so nice.”

Li continued playing during the weekend and eventually finished tied for 43rd at one-under. His four rounds were 72, 74, 73 and 68, with his best score arriving on Sunday.

Tiger produced one of the most remembered victories of his career that weekend. He entered the final round two shots behind Francesco Molinari before taking the lead during the back nine and finishing at 13-under.

The American’s victory was also his first Grand Slam title since the 2008 US Open. It came after several years filled with injury problems and multiple back surgeries.

Li had to wait several years before getting another opportunity to compete at Augusta. The Chinese golfer returned to the Masters in 2026 and this time finished tied for 38th after rounds of 71, 69, 69 and 80.

His season has included several other PGA Tour starts, while he also recorded a top-10 finish at the Biltmore Championship in September.

Li will always remember those moments with nostalgia, as they have remained deeply in his memory. Fulfilling a childhood dream and playing side by side with Tiger is certainly the kind of moment that can mark an entire career.