China's Li Haotong enjoys the experience despite losing early lead

Li Haotong of China plays his shot from the 14th tee during the final round of the 2020 PGA Championship in San Francisco, California, August 9, 2020. /VCG

China's No. 1 Li Haotong said he struggled to deal with the pressure of leading a major championship but is confident the experience will hold him in good stead as he continues his pursuit of a maiden PGA Tour victory.

Li, who turned 25 on Monday, fired rounds of 67 and 65 to take the halfway lead at the PGA Championship, becoming the first Chinese mainland golfer to top the leader board in any round of a men's major.

But rounds of 73 and 69 over the weekend dropped him down to 17th on six-under-par, seven shots behind champion Collin Morikawa.

The 23-year-old American wraps up his first major championship victory with a bogey-free 64 in San Francisco.

Collin Morikawa of the United States celebrates as he walks off the 18th green during the final round of the 2020 PGA Championship in San Francisco, California, August 9, 2020. /VCG

"Saturday was very stressful ever since I woke up ... since I've never been there before," said Li, who ranks 114th in the world. "I just felt super tired, not because of practice, but today I felt like everything was released."

"I played really well until 16, missed a short birdie putt, and 18, I just want to go aggressive, try to make a birdie, and went a little bit left (into a penalty area). Yeah, it's great experience."

Australia's Adam Scott said Li already belongs in the elite field.

"He has got all the weapons in the bag," Scott said after Friday's round. "You know, I guess I'd call it erratic, but he has got all the tools... I seem to remember him shooting a great round on a Sunday at a British Open a few years back. "

Li Haotong lines up a putt on the 17th hole during the final round of the 2020 PGA Championship in San Francisco, California, August 9, 2020. /VCG

Li's best effort at a major remains the third-place finish he achieved at the British Open in 2017.

South Korea's Yang Yong-eun is the only Asian who won a major at the 2009 PGA Championship.

Meanwhile, third-round leader Dustin Johnson had to settle for a tie for second with England's Paul Casey. Johnson shot a 68, and Casey closed with a 66 to reach 11-under 269.

Jason Day, Matthew Wolff, Bryson DeChambeau, Tony Finau, and Scottie Scheffler all finished in a tie for fourth, three shots adrift of Morikawa.

Tiger Woods rebounded from a frustrating third round to shoot a 67 and finish one-under for the tournament.

(With input from agencies)