Volvo China Open field full of challenges

Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen was among those expressing admiration for the Chinese players on the DP World Tour. The rising Danish star, who will play in his first Major at next month's PGA Championship, shot a final round 65 in Qatar to push Li to the limit. With Neergaard-Petersen holding the early clubhouse lead in Doha at 15-under, Li, the overnight leader, got up and down from a bunker on the last and then made a tricky 15-foot birdie putt to secure the win.

"I played a really good round, surely made him earn it. But to make that putt on the last and some of the clutch shots he hit down the stretch, he deserved it. Good player," said the third-year pro, 80th in the World Golf Ranking.

After winning three times on the HotelPlanner Tour last year to win the Road to Mallorca title and earn his promotion to the DP World Tour, Neergaard-Petersen took another big step earlier this month when he finished runner-up at the Puerto Rico Open in his PGA Tour debut. He last played in China two years ago when he finished equal 44th at the Hainan Open.

"The game feels real strong. Obviously had some really good finishes lately. Been home for the past two-and-a-half weeks, just kind of resting and getting some practice in, but I feel like I am into this week. I feel like my game is in a really good spot; so excited for Thursday and just going to try to go out there and compete and be myself."