LIV talented players have entered the bidding stage of the Masters, and there are vacancies

This week’s 2025 Link Hong Kong Open is no ordinary Asian Tour event. Winning the event this year will come with a huge prize, namely a spot in the 2026 Masters and Open.

With the big implications in mind, dozens of LIV Golf pros will be competing this week. After shooting the lowest score of his life in the first round, one of LIV’s newest members, Tom Mckibbin, has the best chance of landing those big invites.

Here’s what you need to know.

Tom McKibbin’s controversial decision to join LIV

First, a little background on McKibbin. The 22-year-old from Northern Ireland has been one of the most promising golf prospects in the world over the past few years.

In 2024, McKibbin performed well on the DP World Tour, earning a 2025 PGA Tour card. But there’s a complication for the budding star: LIV Golf also made him an offer.

McKibbin is from Northern Ireland and grew up at Holywood Golf Club, the same course where Rory McIlroy learned the game.

Given their connection, McKibbin called McIlroy to ask for his advice on the big decision he faced: Should he join McIlroy on the PGA Tour or compete at LIV Golf?

McIlroy tried to convince McKibbin to choose the PGA Tour, believing that if he went to LIV, he would risk giving up other opportunities.

“What do I think? [McKibbin] McIlroy told reporters in January, “The potential sacrifice and giving up getting to a major championship, a potential Ryder Cup berth. If I were in his position and I had his potential, which I think I’ve had before, I wouldn’t have made this decision.” [to join LIV]”.

Although McKibbin acknowledged taking McIlroy’s advice into consideration, he ultimately decided to abandon the PGA Tour in favor of LIV.

The fact that he was not yet eligible for the 2025 majors influenced his decision.

“But I guess I wasn’t in those majors at the time, so it didn’t bother me too much,” McKibbin said earlier this year.

But now McKibbin has a chance to qualify for two majors in Hong Kong in 2026.

Tom Mckibbin invites Masters after shooting 60

More than 20 LIV Golf professionals are preparing for the Hong Kong Open, and only two of them have already qualified for the 2026 Masters or Open Championship. Patrick Reed shot 59 at last year’s Hong Kong Open to qualify as a former champion.

LIV professional and Grand Slam champion Louis Oosthuizen will also compete in the 2026 Open Championship as a past champion.

But most hope to make it to the Masters and Open, which is a more difficult task for LIV pros because LIV golf events do not award world ranking points.

That proved to be enough motivation for McKibbin to have the best round of his career. The Northern Ireland pro shot 6-under 60 on Thursday and had eight birdies, one eagle and zero bogeys.

“It was obviously a very, very good round. I didn’t miss too many shots, made some good putts and took advantage of the two par 5s there. Yeah, I’m sitting here after 60!” McCobbin said after the round.

He added, “60 was the lowest score I’ve ever shot and 62 was the best score I’ve ever shot. So it’s nice to break that record, it’s awesome.”

Although he failed to match Reed’s 59 last year, McKibbin’s 60 actually set a course record because Reed’s 59 was shot under lift, clean and position rules. He then shot a 65 in the second round to extend his two-shot lead at halftime. Peter Uihlein, Jazz Janewattananond and Kiradech Aphibarnrat were tied for second at 13 under.

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