Li Haotong is relishing being back playing in his “second home” this week as the DP World Tour makes its eagerly anticipated return to the Far East for the inaugural Singapore Classic.
Singapore last hosted a DP World Tour event in 2014, when Chilean Felipe Aguilar won The Championship at Laguna National Golf Resort Club.
The venue will once again host this week’s event as the Tour returns to South East Asia for the first time since the 2019 Volvo China Open.
Li finished fourth that year behind winner Mikko Korhonen and the Chinese star is eager to put together a good performance over the Classic Course.
“It is very excited for me, especially as an Asian player from China,” said Li of the Tour’s return to the Far East.
“It is just such an honour and opportunity [for the DP World Tour] to have us here. Singapore is one of my favourite places as well.
“Whenever I play in Asia I feel like it is my second home. I feel super comfortable, a lot of my friends and my team are around me. I guess I will enjoy this week a lot.”
Li returned to the winner’s circle last year with a dramatic victory at the BMW International Open, ending a four-year wait for his third DP World Tour title.
Alongside his victory in Germany, he recorded two further top tens in Ras Al Khaimah and the ISPS Handa Championship in Spain last year as he qualified for the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
The 27-year-old is looking to kickstart his 2023 season this week after missing both the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and Ras Al Khaimah Championship after missing the cut at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
“I gained a lot of confidence from my win last year,” he said.
“This year I just want to focus on my game and try to improve so that I can get more results like last year.
“I just need to slowly get a better process and back on track.”
Li is joined by a host of Asian players in the field, including Wu Ashun of China, Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Malaysian Gavin Green.
Fans will also get a glimpse into the future of Asian golf, with Japanese former World Number One amateur Taiga Semikawa making his debut on the DP World Tour this week.
