Dark Horses to Keep an Eye on at The 2019 Masters

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 16: Li Haotong of China plays his second shot on the 11th hole during the first round of the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates on November 16, 2017 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images) /

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BALLYLIFFIN, IRELAND – JULY 03: Haotong Li of China in action during a practise round ahead of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Ballyliffin Golf Club on July 3, 2018 in Ballyliffin, Ireland. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) /

Haotong Li

Another reason that I am refraining from putting the actual odds down, leaving you to look at your own leisure, is that once you get down the board a bit, they can change both quickly and drastically. Also, depending on where you look, they can be quite different.

This is definitely the case with Haotong Li. I was talking to a friend of mine who was in Vegas on April 2nd. He told me that he saw Haotong anywhere from 80-1 to 150-1 for The Masters. That’s such a wide spread that it can make it hard to pin down.

Haotong Li has been in the news a few times this year, and not just because of his good play. His name popped up for the first time to many after an unfortunate ruling at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. It has overshadowed his stellar play over the last few months.

Take a look at his finishes, both on the European and PGA Tour. T11, T13, T19, and a T9 on the PGA tour this season. Then on the Euro Tour, he has a second place finish, and a T12 (which should have been a T3 if not for the penalty at the end).

He has been on the cusp all year of winning, and has shown the ability to score well on Sunday’s also. If Haotong Li can fix his approach shots (currently -.616 SG), he could find himself contending come the weekend at Augusta. The way he shoots on Sundays could portend well for his shot at the Masters.

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