Li eyes new horizons with IMG deal

Li Haotong has signed with New York-based sports agency IMG in a deal the Chinese No 1 hopes can extend his brand's reach "beyond golf".

Since turning professional at the age of 16, Li has enjoyed a record-breaking career.

He won the inaugural PGA Tour Series-China order of merit in 2014, and, after capturing his second European Tour title at the 2018 Omega Dubai Desert Classic, became the first Chinese player to break into the world's top 50.

Li represented China at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, and in December became the first player from the Chinese mainland to play in the Presidents Cup, for Ernie Els' International Team.

"I am very happy to announce that I am joining the team at IMG," Li said.

"Both in China and as I've played around the world, I have been impressed by everything IMG does in golf.

"From the CGA-HSBC junior program I played in as a kid, to the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai, to the tournaments I'm playing in the Middle East this month, their strength in China as well as their truly global reach is what makes them stand out in the industry.

"I am also excited to see how I can benefit from their incredible network across sports, entertainment and content and utilize their unique expertise to take advantage of new opportunities reaching out beyond golf too."

Jay Danzi, head of golf clients at IMG, said: "Li Haotong, along with the likes of Feng Shanshan and Liang Wenchong, is helping to inspire a whole new generation of young Chinese golfers with his achievements.

"We are proud to announce him as an IMG client and look forward to working with him to help him continue to break records on the course while growing his brand off it, using our extensive reach across entertainment and sports to deliver for him both in China and internationally."