TOUR NEWS
Tuesday May 21, 2024
Northern Ireland golfer Tom McKibbin sensationally booked his place in next month’s US Open at Pinehurst where he will make his first appearance in one of golf’s four Majors.
In a remarkable effort at Walton Heath in England, the 21-year-old birdied five of his last seven holes to race up the leaderboard to eight-under with rounds of 69, 67 and secure qualification on the mark.
The JMC Sport client had played nicely all day at the Surrey venue, but knew he required a fast finish to have any chance of qualification. A double bogey at the ninth in his second round didn’t help the cause either.
However, when the Galgorm Touring Professional made three consecutive birdies from the 12th, he had regained the momentum. He went on to birdie two of the final three holes for a crucial five-under 67 to secure his maiden appearance in a Major at just 21.
The Holywood golfer, who won his first DP Word Tour title at last years Porsche European Open, will tee it up at Pinehurst in North Carolina from June 13-16.
Scotland’s Grant Forrest led the qualifying at Walton Heath with rounds of 66, 68 for a 10-under aggregate, while McKibbin tied sixth alongside Edoardo Molinari, Jason Scrivener and Matteo Manassero.
Fellow JMC Sport client Erik van Rooyen also secured his place in the US Open. The South African was one of the exemptions by the USGA. The top five players in the current PGA TOUR FedExCup standings, who were not otherwise exempt, included van Rooyen, plus Billy Horschel, Mackenzie Hughes, Peter Malnati and Taylor Pendrith.