McKibbon lifts the Link Hong Kong Open trophy
Tom McKibbin’s move to LIV this year appeared short-sighted after the promising pro received only a $5 million advance to play lousy courses over three years. But after raking in $4.3 million on the sportwashing circuit while maintaining enough points in Europe to make this month’s DP World Tour Championship, McKibbon’s prospects are looking up after he ran away with the Link Hong Kong Open.
By winning his first Asian Tour start, McKibbin set a new tournament record in a gate-to-wire win. This year’s edition was the first to offer a Masters invitation in addition to its new role in the Open Qualifying Series.
The 22-year-old Northern Irishman can now take a trip up Magnolia Lane in the same year Rory McIlroy defends his Masters title. McKibbin’s win also gets him a spot in The Open at Royal Birkdale, where he will make his third appearance after missing the cut at Royal Portrush (72-73).
Fun fact: McIlroy also won the Hong Kong Open at age 22 when it was still a European Tour event. McIlroy also tried to talk the lad from Greenacres and Holywood Golf Clubs out of the LIV decision.
A product of the Belfast Royal Academy, McKibbon backed out of a verbal commitment to play collegiate golf for Florida and turned pro a bit sooner than planned after not getting selected for GB&I’s 2021 Walker Cup team. He’s steadily improved while playing various tours and building to this weekend’s 27-under-par performance in Hong Kong.
His final round 63 held off fellow LIV golfer Peter Uihlein by five strokes.
“I played some of the best golf I have probably ever played,” McKibbin said. “So, yeah, to have that sort of golf and to shoot those scores around here is pretty special.”
McKibbin began Sunday with a one-stroke lead over American M.J. Maguire and by two over Uihlein. After going out in three-under to extend the lead, McKibbon lapped the field with five back-nine birdies.
“With a tournament with so much history behind it, and you know, great players that have won this tournament, to have the scoring record is pretty special,” McKibbon said. “And something that will definitely live with me forever.”
McKibbin’s 27-under total beat the previous record by five strokes, held by José María Olazábal (2002), Ian Poulter (2010), and Patrick Reed (2024).
The Hong Kong Open was founded in 1959, and in 1962 became one of the five tournaments that created the inaugural Far East Circuit (soon to be known as the Asia Golf Circuit). The event joined the Asian Tour in 1997 and was co-sanctioned by the European Tour from 2002 to 2020. Impressively, the tournament has always been played at 6,710-yard Hong Kong Golf Club.
The Australian Open is the next event in The Open Qualifying Series from December 4-7 at Royal Melbourne. A Masters invitation will also be on the line.
Highlights from Hong Kong:
