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Haotong Li kept practicing for hours after grabbing the lead at PGA Championship

Haotong Li finished his round just after noon local time at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco on Friday.

It was an impressive showing, too. The 25-year-old carded a 5-under 65 to grab the lead at the midway point of the PGA Championship.

By the time that Jason Day had finished his round around 6 p.m., Li was still at the driving range grinding away.

“I’d be on the ground by now,” Day said on ESPN.

Now in Li’s defense, he wasn’t at the course the entire time. He left after his round to go get lunch and take a nap at his hotel before returning.

But still, after a full 18 holes at a major championship — one that he’s leading, no less — Li didn’t quit practicing. He took full advantage of the empty range and practice greens at the course on Friday night. He hit balls, chipped, putted and even worked out of the bunker. Literally every possible shot Li could have worked on, he did.

It’s not like he needed it. Li opened his round on Friday morning with a pair of birdies, and then picked up two more on the front side to quickly get to 4-under on the day. A birdie on No. 10, followed by eight straight pars concluded the bogey-free outing.

“He's probably the only guy that rents out a golf course to stay instead of renting out a house this week, which is kind of unique,” said Day, who trails Li by two shots headed into the weekend. “I know the guy likes to practice, but man, it's a major week.

“Hopefully he knows what he's doing, and I'm sure he does because he's obviously playing better than us.”

Hey, you can always play better, right?

Haotong Li at the PGA Championship
Haotong Li finished his round just after noon on Friday. He was still grinding away on the range six hours later. (Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

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