Tom McKibbin Aims for PGA Tour Card at Dunhill Links
Tom McKibbin expressed that the chance to compete regularly on the PGA Tour would be a significant milestone as he prepares to take another step towards achieving that goal at the Dunhill Links Championship in St Andrews this week.
The 21-year-old from Northern Ireland is on the cusp of earning a PGA Tour card, aiming to finish among the top 10 eligible players in the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai.
Following a top-10 finish at the recent PGA Championship at Wentworth, the Holywood golfer is set to participate in five more tournaments this season, starting at the renowned Scottish course in the coming days. He will conclude his campaign at the traditional season-ending DP World Tour Championship in mid-November.
“It would mean a lot; it’s a tour I’ve watched on television since I was a kid, and playing there has always been a dream. Securing a card and playing a full schedule would be fantastic,” McKibbin told BBC Sport NI. “I just need to go out there and trust my golf.”
Reflecting on what he calls “a consistent year,” McKibbin secured his first DP World Tour title by winning the European Open in June 2023. He came close to clinching another victory this year, finishing as runner-up to German Marcel Siem at the Italian Open after an impressive final round of 65.
In 2024, he has enjoyed a stint in the world’s top 100, competing in both the US Open and the Open Championship, making the cut in both events.
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“It’s been a very good year, full of solid performances with many top-10 finishes,” he noted. “I’m pleased with my progress so far, but I need to keep pushing until the end of the year. With a lot of points at stake in these last five events, I need to stay focused and aim to finish the season strongly.”
As the youngest Irish winner on the DP World Tour since Rory McIlroy, McKibbin has already earned over a million pounds in prize money this year, but he is eager for more victories.
“I’d love to lift another trophy in these final events, but the competition is fierce, making it tough to win anywhere,” he said.