TOUR NEWS
Tom McKibbin’s star continues to shine ever brighter as the Northern Ireland professional booked his place at The Open in Troon after racing through the field over the weekend at the Italian Open.
The 21-year-old secured his place in the final Major of the year, his second Major after making the cut at the recent US Open at Pinehurst, despite losing a play-off to Marcel Siem at the Italian Open at Adriatic Golf Club Cervia in Ravenna
It was a whirlwind tournament for the Galgorm Touring Professional, who only made it into the weekend on the cut mark of one-under. However, from there he made up more ground than any other player with weekend rounds of 68, 65 to join Siem at the top of the leaderboard on 10-under, despite starting the day six shots adrift.
Although he lost out to Siem in the play-off, it has been a remarkable run for McKibbin, who has recorded no less than six top 10s in his last 10 starts and only one missed cut all season. It means he also moves into the world’s top 100 for the first time at 97th and is up to eighth in the DP World Tour Race to Dubai standings.
McKibbin said he was “thrilled” at about playing The 152nd Open at Troon. It also means he doesn’t have to play in Final Qualifying for The Open at Dundonald Links and can instead enjoy a break before teeing it up in the Scottish Open.
“I’m so excited,” said McKibbin after finishing runner-up in Italy. “I got a taste of what the US Open was like a couple of weeks ago, so I’m looking forward to going to Troon. I’m thrilled.
“I’ve never played it, but I went to one of the practice rounds there the last time it was played (2016). I can’t remember anything about it, but I’ve been.
“It’s also good to be able to rest up now and get ready for the Scottish Open and The Open,” said McKibbin, who will join fellow Irishmen Rory McIlroy, Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Shane Lowry at Troon.