‘I’ve learned I’m good enough to win’: Tommy McKibbin, number 335, delighted after sensational victory at the European Open, as the Northern Irishman – who hails from the same city as Rory McIlroy – admits ‘probably not going to sink in until tomorrow’
- Tom McKibbin won his first DP world title at the European Open on Sunday
- The 20-year-old hails from the same Northern Irish town as Rory McIlroy
- McKibbin backed his compatriot to win the Memorial Tournament in Ohio
Looks like there’s more than one star from Holywood. Tom McKibbin, from the same Northern Irish town of 12,000 as Rory McIlroy, demonstrated the greatness of his own talent by winning his first DP World Tour title at the European Open on Sunday.
The 20-year-old rider only graduated from the Challenge Tour in November, but he lit up what had been a promising rookie season with a brilliant two-stroke win at Green Eagle in Hamburg.
His winning putt came just over two hours before McIlroy took off in the final clutch at the Memorial Tournament in Ohio, where he shared the lead with David Lipsky and Si Woo Kim.
With McIlroy chasing his 24th PGA Tour win, not to mention a return to form ahead of this month’s US Open, it raised the possibility of an extraordinary sporting double from a small corner of County Down. That they came from the same Holywood Golf Club adds to the quirkiness of a fun story.
McKibbin has an awfully long way to go to justify meatier comparisons, but he clearly has the game and temperament to make his own name.
Tom McKibbin won the European Open at Green Eagle Golf Course in Hamburg on Sunday
The 20-year-old Irishman won his first DP world title with a stunning two-stroke victory
He opened his final round with six under par and in the pressured scenario of a six-way tie for the lead.
If that was discouraging, he rode the challenge magnificently with birdies on the fourth, sixth and ninth holes to take two strokes ahead of Germany’s Max Kieffer on the turn.
By the time McKibbin reached 14th the two were level – the Northern Irishman bogeyed a wayward drive on 11 and dropped another with a five on 13 – and soon after Marcel Siem made it to the clubhouse on seven under, which meant a tie between three .
The question was whether McKibbin could withstand the heat, but he made 15 birdies on a near-miss with the water and delivered one of the best shots of the tournament when he hit a five-iron from behind a tree 205 yards from the green. eight feet.
He missed the eagle putt, but a birdie for a closing 70 made for a great breakaway triumph.
He said, “I haven’t been on my phone yet, but hopefully Rory can win tonight.
He supported Rory McIlroy, from the same Northern Irish city, to win the Memorial Tournament
“Winning means a lot – I’ve worked hard for that all my life, so to win it today is pretty special. I’ve learned that I’m good enough to win. I always thought I was, but to prove it today was pretty special.
“I think I learned a lot from failures, missing cuts with a shot, and missing things a little bit. So to take those things I’ve learned and put them into play has been fun. It probably won’t settle until tomorrow.
“There was a little bit of nerves on 18th, but not as much as I expected. Luckily I was able to take the club with me. It was such a good shot, it felt pretty awesome.”
McKibbin, ranked 335th in the world, is expected to rise to 159th when the new ranking is released this week.