Tom McKibbin

Tom McKibbin qualified for Royal Birkdale and will play in his third consecutive Open after winning the Link Hong Kong Open on the Asian Tour.

He set a new course record with an opening round 60 at Hong Kong Golf Club before going on to win by seven shots from nearest challenger Peter Uihlein.

The triumph earned McKibbin places at both The 154th Open - where one place was available as part of The Open Qualifying Series - and the Masters in 2026.

Hailing from the Holywood club near Belfast, he played The 153rd Open on home turf at Royal Portrush one year after his Championship debut at Royal Troon.

At the age of 21 he tied for 41st on his major debut at the US Open in June 2024 and then made his first Open appearance thanks to a runner-up finish at the Italian Open.

The Italian Open was so nearly his second victory on the DP World Tour. After a sparkling closing 65 – the best round of the day by two – he led by one before Marcel Siem birdied the 18th and then did it again at the first hole of their sudden death play-off.

Second place was still good enough to take him into the game’s top 100 for the first time.

McKibbin’s maiden win came by two strokes at the 2023 Porsche European Open.