Hong Kong Open: Tom McKibbin leads as he chases Masters spot

Tom McKibbin’s bid to qualify for next year’s Masters and Open Championship continued in impressive fashion when he carded a second-round 65 to lead the Hong Kong Open by two shots at the midway point.

The player from Northern Ireland opened the tournament on the Asian Tour with a course record of 60 at Fanling.

While he could not quite hit the same heights on Friday, his bogey-free five-under-par round kept him two shots clear of American Peter Uihlein and Thailand duo Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Jazz Janewattananond.

McKibbin, who joined LIV Golf earlier this year, began his second round with two birdies in his opening three holes.

The 22-year-old reeled off three more birdies in a row from the 12th and is 15 under at the halfway stage.

The winner of the event 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.

McKibbin has never played in the Masters at Augusta National and he failed to make the cut at The Open at Royal Portrush in July.

Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell missed the cut in Hong Kong after he finished four under after 36 holes.