Tom McKibbin: Northern Ireland golfer ‘thrilled’ to qualify for Open

Tom McKibbin says he is “thrilled” to have qualified to play in his first Open Championship at Royal Troon.

The 21-year-old, from Holywood in Northern Ireland, secured his place in the tournament despite losing a play-off to Marcel Siem at the Italian Open last weekend.

McKibbin’s runner-up finish at the Adriatic Golf Club in Cervia also saw him climb into the world’s top 100 for the first time, up 31 places to 97th spot, and elevated him from 21st to eighth in the Race to Dubai standings.

He recently made his major debut at the US Open at Pinehurst and played the final round alongside world number one Scottie Scheffler.

He said: “I got a taste of what the US Open was like a couple of weeks ago so I’m looking forward to going to Troon. I’m thrilled.

“I’ve never played it but I went to one of the practice rounds there the last time it was played [in 2016]. I can’t remember anything about it but I’ve been.”

McKibbin can now forego his place in final qualifying for the Open this week after achieving six top-10 finishes in his last 10 starts.

Last season he clinched his maiden DP World Tour success when he won the European Open in Hamburg.

In Cervia, McKibbin made the cut on the number and started Sunday six shots behind the leaders, but a six-under-par 65 in his final round saw him reach 10 under and set the clubhouse lead.

That did not initially look enough to be in contention, especially when Siem and Antoine Rozner both reached 13 under.

However, the leaders faltered down the stretch and, three hours after he had finished his round, McKibbin was in line for victory as the final pair reached the 18th hole.

But Siem holed a putt from 22 feet on the last to force the play-off and the 43-year-old German then birdied the same hole to secure victory.