Staff WriterTom McKibbin made his Asian Tour debut one for the ages, storming to victory at the US$2 million Link Hong Kong Open with a record-shattering 27-under-par total at Hong Kong Golf Club.
The 22-year-old Northern Irishman looked every bit the star many predicted he’d become—clinching a seven-stroke victory with a final-round 63 that left even seasoned pros in awe.
His win wasn’t just decisive; it was historic. McKibbin not only set a new 72-hole scoring record but also tied the tournament’s largest margin of victory. The triumph earns him automatic invitations to both The Open and the Masters Tournament next year—a monumental step in a career that’s quickly gathering pace.
“Yeah, it was obviously amazing,” McKibbin said after sealing his second professional victory. “I played some of the best golf I have probably ever played. So, yeah, to have that sort of golf and to shoot those scores around here is pretty special.”
McKibbin, who represents Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII team on the LIV Golf circuit, began Sunday with a one-shot lead over American MJ Maguire. He wasted no time extending it—carding birdies on the first, third, and eighth before igniting his back nine with a relentless charge through the 10th, 11th, 13th, 14th, and 16th. His only blemish came with a closing bogey, one of just three all week.
“It means a lot,” he added. “I mean, with a tournament with so much history behind it, and you know, great players that have won this tournament, to have the scoring record is pretty special, and something that will definitely live with me forever.”
McKibbin’s performance rewrote the tournament’s record books. The previous best 72-hole total stood at 22-under, shared by José María Olazábal (2002), Ian Poulter (2010), and Patrick Reed (2024). The seven-shot margin tied the record set by Bernhard Langer in 1991 and Bill Brask in 1984—putting McKibbin in elite company.
For the young star, the timing couldn’t be better. This year marked the first time Augusta National and The R&A extended automatic invitations to the Hong Kong Open champion—making his win a ticket to golf’s most iconic stages.
“Very excited to go back and play my third Open, it will be very, very cool,” McKibbin said. “And to have that drive down Magnolia Lane for the first time ever, it will be even more special. You know, I think sort of historic tournaments like this deserve those spots, and yeah, it’s great to sort of take advantage of those.”
Behind him, American Peter Uihlein took second after a final-round 68, despite a calamitous quadruple-bogey eight on the par-four 14th that ended any hopes of a charge.
“It was a bit of a mixed bag today,” Uihlein admitted. “Had a tough quad out there. Actually, I had both a quadruple and a triple bogey this week. So, to still finish second despite that, I’ll take it. I love the course, love the event, and I love coming here, for LIV. It is honestly one of my favourite stops of the year. I will definitely keep coming back as long as I am playing.”
Uihlein wasn’t short of admiration for the champion either. “Unreal,” he said. “He played unbelievably well. There is really nothing more to say – shooting seven-under on a Sunday is incredible. I think he missed just one green, and even then he made par. He was so efficient and composed. Super impressive. That was awesome to watch.”
Behind the pair, Japan’s Tomoyo Ikemura (65), South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen (67), and Maguire (70) shared third—rounding out a leaderboard stacked with international firepower.
For Tom McKibbin, the Link Hong Kong Open will forever mark the moment he cemented his arrival on the world stage—a fearless display of control, power, and precision that now carries him to Augusta and Royal Troon.
The Asian Tour and The International Series now roll on to the Moutai Singapore Open next week.
Tom McKibbin’s Winning WITB: Hong Kong Open
Tom’s equipment set up for the week was as follows:
Driver: Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Max (8.5°) – Accra RPG Shaft
Utility Iron: Apex UT (18°)
Irons: Apex Ai150 (4) / X Forged (5-PW)
Wedges: Opus SP (50° & 54°)
Putter: Odyssey Ai Butane Rossie S w/ Tri Hot dots
