ASHEVILLE — Haotong Li surged into contention at the inaugural Biltmore Championship Asheville with a career-low 10-under 61 in Saturday's third round at the Cliffs at Walnut Cove, the lowest score of the tournament so far. The 31-year-old from Hunan, China, moved to 15 under and tied for seventh heading into Sunday's final round, six shots behind leader Neal Shipley at 21 under, with Ben Kohles at 19 under and Eric Cole and Ricky Castillo at 17 under.
Li is fighting to retain his PGA Tour card in his first FedEx Cup Fall. Entering the week 133rd in the FedEx Cup standings, 22 points behind No. 125 Jesper Svensson, with the top 125 earning conditional status, he had not made a cut since the 3M Open in July. "I just try to survive. This is my first year in (FedEx Cup Fall) ... and I just try to keep my card and do a solid finish," Li said. "And hopefully I can play more golf in America."
The breakthrough followed a season of struggles and constant equipment tweaks. Li opened 2026 with four made cuts in five events, including two top-15 finishes at The American Express and the Farmers Insurance Open, but then missed 13 cuts in his next 17 starts with no finish better than a tie for 35th. An accomplished international winner with five victories worldwide still seeking his first PGA Tour win, he credited an improved short game and a settled putter after weeks of change. "Recently I've been switching so many putters," Li said. "I switch putters probably every week because (I was) struggling with the putting, with the pace. (I also changed) the way I align the ball as well. ... Now I just purely with putter. It's been good so far, and hopefully continue doing something good."
Li shot 1 under in the first round and 4 under in the second before his flawless Saturday, playing relaxed in the early hours despite the stakes. "I felt like my game (was) put together today, and especially the last few weeks," Li said. "Went to Europe, gained a little bit of confidence. And putting, (I was) just really hot today, so I'm very pleased with this score." He will need another low round Sunday to chase Shipley and Kohles, but his position has already strengthened his push to stay inside the top 125, following Neal Shipley's one-shot lead over Ben Kohles entering the weekend.