Over to the links now and China's Li Haotong will be make his first appearance at the sport's first major of the season – the Masters. The 22-year-old is considered a Chinese prodigy and is the first male player from the world's most populous nation to be ranked in the top 50. Jonas Gilbart tells us more from Augusta National.

He's only 22 years old and already the most accomplished Chinese golfer of all time. Li Haotong will tee it up at Augusta for his first Masters this week and it's something even he is still coming to grips with.

LI HAOTONG WORLD NO. 42 "I mean it's unreal, a dream come true. So far so good."

The reality will soon set in and the most legendary track in golf has a way of welcoming rookies in a rude way, but Li can handle a spotlight. Last year he finished third at the Open Championship, the best ever by a Chinese player in a major, which earned him his place at Augusta. Then earlier this year, he went head-to-head with four-time major champ Rory McIlroy in Dubai and eclipsed the Ulsterman on his way to taking the title, making a pretty large statement to the golfing world along the way.

LI HAOTONG WORLD NO. 42 "I'm feeling really good and it gave me a lot of confidence, especially against a Rory kind of guy."

RORY McILROY FOUR-TIME MAJOR CHAMPION "I enjoyed my days with him in Dubai even though he got the better of me. He's a great talent and a great player for such a young player and I'm sure he'll be around for a long time."

The Dubai win catapulted Li into the Top-50 in the world rankings, yet another new mark for golf in China, and he sits at 42nd heading into the opening round an impressive mark but not one that has caught Li off guard.

LI HAOTONG WORLD NO. 42 "I think it's another step because the way I practice I know I will break top 50 for sure and now I just keep doing what I'm doing."

Now as for his expectations this week, Li isn't necessarily making any grand plans, but taking it step by step.

LI HAOTONG WORLD NO. 42 "I think I just need to make the cut first and you never know what's going to happen on the weekend."

And if Li does make the weekend, he has shown that he has the ability and the inner fortitude to go low and challenge. His third-place finish at the Open last year was a result of a final round 63, which included a ridiculous 7 birdies in his final 11 holes. He may not be on the tips of tongues here at the Masters, but Li Haotong has shown he certainly has the chance to make some noise this week as he chases yet another historic mark for Chinese golf.