Tom McKibbin is on a mission to qualify for the 2026 Masters and he’s off to a flying start at the Hong Kong Open. With a second-round score of 65, he leads the tournament by two shots. McKibbin, a LIV Golf player, showcased his talent with a course record of 60 at Fanling.
The Northern Irish golfer, aged just 22, is on a roll with five birdies in his round. He’s currently 15 under at the halfway stage, closely followed by American Peter Uihlein and Thai duo Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Jazz Janewattananond.
The winner of this event will secure a spot at the Masters, while the top non-exempt player will earn a place in The Open at Royal Birkdale. McKibbin has his eyes set on Augusta National, a dream he’s yet to fulfill.
Stay tuned to witness McKibbin’s journey and find out if he can maintain his lead and secure a Masters spot.
The Hong Kong Open is heating up and a young golfer is making waves as he chases a spot in the prestigious Masters tournament. Tom McKibben, a rising star from Northern Ireland, is leading the pack and has his eyes set on Augusta National. But here’s where it gets controversial. In the second round of the Hong Kong Open, McKibben showcased his talent with a remarkable 65, putting him two shots ahead at the midway point. This performance follows his impressive course record of 60 at Fanling which opened the tournament on the Asian tour. While he didn’t quite match that feat on Friday, his bog free round kept him in the lead. McKibben is joined at the top by American Peter Yulan and the Thai duo of karate Aabanit and Jazz Januant all tied at minus3. But it’s McKibben’s story that has captured the attention of golf enthusiasts. The 22-year-old started his second round with a bang, birding two of the first three holes. He then went on a birdie streak from the 12th, reeling off three in a row. At the halfway stage, he stands at 15 underpar. The winner of this event will earn a spot in the 2026 Masters, a dream come true for any golfer. Additionally, the highest placed non-exempt player who makes the cut will secure a place in the 154th Open at Royal Burkedale. For McKibben, this is a chance to write his name into golf history. However, it’s not just about the Masters for McKibben. He has never played at Augusta National, and he missed the cut at the Open at Royal Port Rush in July. This Hong Kong Open could be his redemption story, a chance to prove his worth on the global stage. And this is the part most people miss. Northern Ireland’s Graham McDow, a fellow countryman of McKibben, missed the cut in Hong Kong, finishing for under after 36 holes. As the tournament progresses, the pressure will mount. Will McKibben hold his nerve and secure that master spot. Only time will tell. What do you think? Is McKibben’s journey inspiring, or is there another golfer you’re rooting for? Let’s discuss in the comments.
