Irish teen sensation Tom McKibbin now joins fellow Holywood golfing starlet Rory McIlroy as one of the newest full members of the DP World Tour.
McKibbin, 19, wrapped-up full 2022/23 main tour membership, ending 10th overall among the top-20 on the money list who secured their cards at the season-ending Challenge Tour in Mallorca.
Tom McKibbin after securing his DP World Tour Card for 2023. (Picture: Niall O’Shea & JMC Sport)
The Galgorm-attached McKibbin grabbed seven birdies, including a great stretch of four birdies from the third to eighth holes, in a closing round 66 to grab the early clubhouse lead ahead of settling for a share sixth place in the final tournament on the secondary tour season.
“It was a lovely way to finish and secure my DP World Tour card, so it was,” said McKibbin.
“The course is pretty tricky in spots and to shoot six-under the last day was pretty nice. My game was pretty solid while I hit is nice off the tees and into the greens, and then I putted well. So, everything was just really, really tidy, and I took advantage of the par-5s and took every chance when I got it.
“I am very, very pleased as the goal at the start of the year was to secure my Tour card, so I can tick that off and it’s pretty special.”
McKibbin, and the youngest in the field, was three adrift of England’s Nathan Kimsey, who jumped five spots to claim the No. 1 Challenge Tour ranking after his closing 69 for a nine-under tally.
Missing out on full main tour status was Kinsale’s John Murphy ending the year 44th on the money list.
