Rory McIlroy's protege opens up two-shot lead in Hong Kong
Northern Ireland's Tom McKibbin opened up a two-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Hong Kong Open in Fanling.
1 | Tom McKibbin | -15 |
2 | Peter Uihlein | -13 |
2 | Kiradech Aphibarnrat | -13 |
2 | Jazz Janewattananond | -13 |
5 | Louis Oosthuizen | -12 |
5 | Thomas Pieters | -12 |
5 | Charles Howell III | -12 |
8 | Scott Hend | -11 |
8 | Micah Lauren Shin | -11 |
8 | Kieran Vincent | -11 |
8 | Matt Jones | -11 |
Northern Ireland's Tom McKibbin opened up a two-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Hong Kong Open.
The 22-year-old is attempting to win his third professional title and also secure his place in next year's Masters and Open Championship.
He carded a course record 60 on Thursday and backed it up with a bogey-free 65 in round two.
McKibbin, who is yet to drop a shot this week, leads America's Peter Uihlein and Thai pair Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Jazz Janewattananond by two strokes.
Fellow LIV Golf members Thomas Pieters and Louis Oosthuizen, also an Open champion, are inside the top-10.
McKibbin made the switch to to LIV Golf for the 2025 season having been advised by Rory McIlroy against the move.
Grand slam winner McIlroy said he told the golfer, whom he has known since he was a young boy, that he was giving up a lot for arguably not much in return.
When McKibbin joined the breakaway tour, linking up with Jon Rahm's quartet, he had just secured his duel membership on the PGA Tour.
McIlroy argued that McKibbin was jeopardizing future appearances in major championships and the Ryder Cup.
McKibbin is yet to win on LIV Golf but he finished 20th overall.
The winner of the Hong Kong Open will qualify for the 2026 Masters, while the highest-placed non-exempt player who makes the cut will earn a place in the field for the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale in July.
What did Rory McIlroy say?
McIlroy told reporters he had a long chat with McKibbin before he penned a two-year deal with LIV.
It is thought McKibbin's contract was worth $5m.
"I really like Tom as a person, as a player. I think he's got a ton of potential," he said.
"Look, I said to him, if I were in your shoes, I would make a different choice than the one you're thinking of making.
"I think working so hard to get your Tour card in the States, something that he did, to achieve that goal last year was a big achievement.
"I think what he potentially is sacrificing and giving up with access to majors, potential Ryder Cup spot, depending on, you know, how he would play, it just wouldn't have been — you know, depending — look, I don't think anything is official yet.
"But if I were in his position and I had his potential, which I think I have been before, I wouldn't make that decision.
"But I'm not him. I'm not in his shoes. He's a grown man at this point and can make his own decisions. All I can do is try to give him my perspective."
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