HONG KONG — Tom McKibbin earned his first journey to the Masters by pulling away for a 7-under 63 to cap off a wire-to-wire victory Sunday within the Hong Kong Open. His second win additionally will get the 22-year-old from Northern Eire within the Open Championship.
Attending to Augusta Nationwide grew to become a problem when McKibbin signed with Saudi-funded LIV Golf in 2024. However the Masters modified its standards this yr, designating six nationwide opens the place the winner earns an invite.
McKibbin, who opened with a 60, took a two-shot lead into the ultimate spherical.
McKibbin was nonetheless two photographs away from Peter Uihlein when he birdied 4 of 5 holes to begin the again 9 and wound up with a seven-shot victory, the second of his profession.
He completed on 27-under 253. Uihlein’s hopes ended with a quadruple-bogey 8 on the 14th gap. The American closed with a 68.
The Hong Kong Open featured 29 full-time LIV Golf gamers, for a majority of them a uncommon likelihood at getting within the Masters and the British Open subsequent yr at Royal Birkdale. Solely two LIV gamers within the area have been former Masters champions who’ve lifetime exemptions.
