Li wields hot putter in major Texas test

Opening win in WGC match play bodes well for Chinese star

China's Li Haotong savored a convincing opening victory at the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies match play in Texas on Wednesday, taking down last year's third-place finisher and Ryder Cup star Alex Noren of Sweden 5 & 4.

The 23-year-old Li did not trail in his Group 3 match at the Austin Country Club as a combination of hot putting and some uncharacteristic mistakes by Noren gave the Chinese star his first triumph at the elite 64-man showpiece following three losses in his debut last season.