Tom McKibbin punched his ticket to the 2026 Masters and 2026 Open Championship by scoring a wire-to-wire victory at the Hong Kong Open on Sunday.
McKibbin shot a 7-under-par 63 in the final round to finish at 27-under-par 253, setting a new tournament record with five shots. The 22-year-old finished seven shots better than LIV compatriot Peter Uihlein, who made a quadruple bogey 8 on the 14th hole to end his chance of a rally.
The victory was the second for McKibbin, who will be allowed to compete at Augusta National after the Masters changed its qualifying criteria this year. He is expected to participate in the Open Championship for the third time.
“I’m very excited to come back and play my third Open, it will be very, very cool,” McKibbin said. “And to have that run down Magnolia Lane for the first time ever, it’s going to be even more special. You know, I think historic tournaments like this deserve these spots, and yeah, it’s great to enjoy it.”
McKibbin chose to join LIV Golf despite earning his PGA Tour card via the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai last fall. He was even warned against joining the newcomer circuit by his friend and fellow Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy.
McKibbin, who ranks 109th in the Official World Golf Rankings, turned professional in 2021 and won the Porsche European Open in 2023.
–Field level media
