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Li stays cool on last to win Qatar Masters

golf09 February 2025 15:30| © AFP
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Li Haotong holed a long birdie putt on the last hole of the Qatar Masters on Sunday to hold off surging Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen by one shot.

"I'm just so pleased I made that putt on the last," the 29-year-old Chinese golfer said. "I'm just very glad I closed out nicely."

Li started the day with a two shot lead after shooting 67 on Saturday. He doubled that advantage with birdies at the first two holes.

After that, he trod water as he made two bogeys but followed them immediately with birdies.

"Even after yesterday, I felt like this morning was really stressed," said Li.

Neergaard-Petersen caught up with seven birdies by the time he reached the 17th. He bogeyed that hole but then birdied the last for a seven-under-par final round of 65.

Li, playing in the last pair, came to the 18th tied for the lead and hit his second shot into a bunker on the 584-yard hole.

He chipped to 15 feet and coolly sunk the winning putt for his first tour title since the BMW Open in Munich in June 2022.

"It means a lot," said Li. "I never thought I could come back in this position."

Neergaard-Petersen was second two clear of Englishman Brandon Robinson Thompson, who had started the day in second.

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