Tom McKibbin has experienced a rich and promising early career, having already triumphed once at the DP World Tour during his inaugural season last year – the European Open. However, the usually relaxed player is feeling a buzz of excitement as he prepares to play at the highly esteemed Amgen Irish Open, which takes place on his home soil at the renowned golf course at the foot of Slieve Donard.
When McKibbin, a 21-year-old Belfast local, first played at the challenging Old Tom Morris-designed links as a young amateur, he found it quite daunting. Over time, with more matches under his belt, he grew to honour and value the demanding trials of golf at Royal County Down. He acknowledges that if he were successful in securing the Irish Open, it would mark the most significant victory his career has seen so far.
“The golf course is simply magical. You grow to admire and treasure it the more you’re on the green. I struggled to find it enjoyable at my initial games due to its difficulty. However, with improved skills and familiarity, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for it. It’s an extremely tough golf challenge, with many obscured tees and prevalent crosswinds. The test will undoubtedly be a formidable one,” McKibbin shared. Presently in his sophomore season on the tour, he has manoeuvred his way to the cusp of the top 10 players (he currently holds the 12th place) who are vying for PGA Tour cards for the next year.
As for McKibbin, his strategy is simple: let his performance on the golf course speak for itself. If a place on the US circuit comes his way, marvellous – but its attainment would be a testament to his performance in the upcoming weeks and months as the DP World Tour encounters a hearty clutch of events in Europe, before the grand season finale in the Middle East.
McKibbin has noted the surging points on offer for the DP World Tour from the past weeks up until the year’s conclusion. He believes this may stir up some competition, which motivates him to maintain a high-level performance. He acknowledges the magnanimity of the points and the importance of leveraging them.
McKibbin expresses a keen interest in The Irish Open, a tournament reputed for its huge cash reward of €5.35 million and plentiful points. The fact that it’s hosted in County Down amplifies its appeal for McKibbin due to the area’s prestige and the course’s significance. Winning this tournament would be a monumental achievement for him, possibly being remembered as his career’s pinnacle.
Having turned professional at 18-years-old and soon gaining a full tour card from the Challenge Tour, McKibbin’s passage into the professional field has been fairly smooth. However, he’s also demonstrated determination, a trait crucial for top performers.
Recently, he decided to part ways with long-time caddie, Dave McNeilly, and brought Ricky McCormick to the fore, a golf coach from his previous club in Holywood and close acquaintance of Rory McIlroy. The decision to switch caddies mid-season reflects his need for a change in strategy. Having known McCormick for over a decade, he’s snug in his company and appreciates his effective assistance. McKibbin anticipates their continued collaboration in the upcoming weeks.
In the highly challenging week of the season, player, caddie, and all other participants descend onto a golf course where yardage books provide limited guidance. Club choice and wind usage can pose as unique obstacles unlike most other weeks during the year. It’s critical to be accurate with one’s aim from the tee, particularly for blind tee shots. Simultaneously, one must avoid constantly striving for high scores.
The art of patience becomes vital, along with maintaining a strong grip on the ball’s pathway. Achieving par on the field may be a satisfactory achievement this week. The strategy lies in avoiding overly assertive actions.
This type of golf sharply contrasts with our standard games and often poses significant challenges. It’s a unique experience to see the ball curve extensively mid-air. The game demands a variety of exceptional shots, but the main aim remains to achieve the lowest score possible by playing the golf course as is and maintaining focus on the ball’s pathway. As McKibbin suggests, the week-long challenge calls for one step at a time approach, keeping one’s feet firmly grounded.