LIV Golf prodigy’s Hong Kong Open opportunity goes beyond prime seats
When Tom McKibbin entered the final round of the LINK Hong Kong Open with a one-shot lead on Sunday, he knew what was coming.
When McKibbin chose to give up his PGA Tour card to join LIV Golf earlier this year, he knew the move would make it harder for him to win a major championship. With LIV Golf still not earning official World Golf Ranking points, McKibbin will have to rely on DP World Tour starts and the exemption provided to LIV Golf by the governing body.
McKibbin has played in two of the four majors this season, but his prospects for a major title in 2026 remain up in the air. But that could change on Sunday if McKibbin can fend off a group of challengers including Americans MJ Maguire and Peter Uihlein. Thanks to recent decisions by Augusta National Golf Club and the R&A, the winner of the Hong Kong Open will receive an invitation to the 2026 Masters and Open Championship. That’s why McKibbin and some of his fellow LIV Golfers are getting ready to compete this week.
“I think everyone comes here knowing there’s room,” McKibbin said Saturday. “It’s not a big deal to finish second or third, it doesn’t really change. I might as well keep a good mentality.”
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McKibbin opened the tournament with a 10-under 60 and followed up with two straight 65s. For much of the week, the Northern Irishman appeared to be on a quiet march towards the big prizes, which will not only head to Augusta National and Royal Birkdale, but will also see him join a star-studded Hong Kong Open winner’s field that includes his idols Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and Tom Watson.
But Maguire’s 61 on Saturday changed the outlook for Sunday’s final round. Maguire is now just one behind McKibbin and is aiming to disrupt the LIV talent’s 2026 plans.
“There’s definitely a lot to play for,” Maguire said. “So I try to take one shot at a time and stay focused.”
Maguire, 33, is the 482nd-ranked golfer in the world. He last competed on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2023. His only PGA Tour appearance was at the 2015 Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Maguire will start on Sunday, one behind McKibbin, but he won’t be the only contender within reach of the young star. Uihlein is the second back, with Australian Scott Hend and Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat the third back. Charles Howell III and Louis Oosthuizen round out the back four.
McKibbin’s efforts to win it all hit a snag on Saturday when his bogey-free streak ended with a miss on the third hole. But the 22-year-old bounced back with birdies at 4, 5, 6, 9 and 12. He had a bogey on 15 but birdied 16 and 17 to move ahead of Maguire in Sunday’s final-round showdown.
“Overall very good,” McKibbin said. “I thought the course was playing a little tough – the pins seemed a little tougher, but I hit some really good golf. I made some good putts and everything felt solid.”
Eighteen holes – and a gaggle of chasers – stood between McKibbin and two prime tickets, and a chance to join McIlroy on the long list of Hong Kong Open winners.
“Winning any tournament means a lot and given the history behind this event and the people who have won it before, this will be very special,” McKibbin said.
