Tom McKibbin once defied the advice of Rory McIlroy to join LIV Golf, but his behaviour off the course has caught the attention of another Northern Ireland golfing icon
Tom Mckibbin had a weekend to forget at the 153rd Open Championship(Image: Getty Images)
LIV Golf star Tom McKibbin may have had a weekend to forget at Royal Portrush, but he has the backing of legendary PGA star Darren Clarke to make it to the very top of the game. McKibbin failed to make the cut at The Open and later slammed his experience as frustrating.
Clarke, who won The Open in 2011 in emotional circumstances and who also didn’t make the cut over the weekend, believes McKibbin has what it takes to have a celebrated future in the game.
His comments come after witnessing how well the young star looks after himself off the course, after practicing with McKibbin and fellow Northern Irish star Rory McIlroy.
“His talent is unquestionable. I think he’s got a huge future in front of him,” Clarke, 56, told BBC Sport Northern Ireland, ahead of The Open.
Addressing the controversy the 22-year-old generated when he turned down the PGA Tour in favour of a lucrative LIV Golf berth, Clarke added: “Whether the LIV thing gets resolved or not at some stage, and hopefully it will get resolved, Tom’s ball striking was as close to anybody’s I’ve ever seen to Rory [McIlroy]. I mean, it really was.
“He’s a wonderful young man. He behaves himself probably a lot more than I used to. He doesn’t drink. He’s very, very focused on what he’s doing but I was so impressed with him.”
McKibbin finished one over in his opening round at Portrush. However, on day two he ultimately racked up several pars and bogeys to leave him three over for the competition, forcing him to later lament his “silly” errors.
Rory McIlroy, Tom McKibbin and Darren Clarke played a practice round together recently
“It’s been a frustrating last two days. I’ve played some really nice golf,” McKibbin told BBC Sport. “I think it’s the best I’ve played in the four majors I’ve played in. There was just a few silly mistakes.
“It’s very frustrating with the way I think I’ve been playing. I birdied the first and made some really nice chances, and to drop those shots that I didn’t think were too poor of a shot, they were more of a mistake, that’s what more frustrating than anything.”
The Open represented more experience for the 22-year-old who has now featured every major but the Masters. The Belfast-born star has endured a mixed time since moving to the Saudi Arabian-backed circuit, and has four LIV Tour events to play in before he finishes his season on the DP World Tour.
LIV Golf star Tom McKibbin struggled for rhythm at The Open(Image: Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
McKibbin’s move to LIV famously caught the attention of McIlroy, who advised McKibbin against taking up a place with the league. However, McKibbin forged his own path and has since opened up on how he has no regrets over snubbing the PGA, while touching on how playing with the likes of Jon Rahm and Bryson Dechambeau has helped him up his game.
“No, very happy,” he told the Irish Independent in May when asked if he had any doubts over his move. “I’ve had a great time.”
“I’ve been very, very lucky to play with a lot of very good players so far this year and I’ve definitely seen my golf game improve, playing tough courses like [Trump National] Doral.
“So it’s definitely prepared me a little bit better. Yeah, I’m very happy. I’ve been very fortunate to tee up alongside several stellar players who have shone in the majors and battle it out with them.”