LIV Golf phenom’s Hong Kong Open chance about more than major spots

Tom McKibbin knows what’s on the line on Sunday when he enters the final round of the LINK Hong Kong Open with a one-shot lead.

When McKibbin elected to give up his PGA Tour card to join LIV Golf earlier this year, he understood that the move would make it more difficult for him to earn major championship starts. With LIV Golf still not receiving Official World Golf Ranking points, McKibbin would have to rely on DP World Tour starts and the exemptions provided to LIV Golf by the governing bodies.

McKibbin played in two of the four majors this season, but his major championship future for 2026 is up in the air. But that can change on Sunday if McKibbin can hold off a pack of challengers, including Americans M.J. Maguire and Peter Uihlein. Thanks to a recent decision by Augusta National Golf Club and the R&A, the winner of the Hong Kong Open will receive an invitation to the 2026 Masters and Open Championship. That’s why McKibbin and a number of his LIV Golf compatriots are teeing it up this week.

“I think everyone came here knowing the spots were available,” McKibbin said on Saturday. “It’s no big deal finishing second or third, and that doesn’t really change. I may as well keep my mindset of giving it a good go.”

McKibbin opened the tournament by firing a course-record, 10-under 60 and backed that up with two straight 65s. For most of the week, it looked like it would be a calm march to a major prize for the Northern Irishman, one that would not only end in trips to Augusta and Royal Birkdale but would also see him join a star-studded group of Hong Kong Open winners that includes his idol Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and Tom Watson.

But Maguire’s Saturday 61 has changed the outlook of Sunday’s final round. Maguire now sits just one shot back of McKibbin and has his eyes set on spoiling the LIV phenom’s 2026 plans.

“There’s definitely a lot to play for,” Maguire said. “So I’ll just try and play it one shot at a time and stay focused.”

The 33-year-old Maguire is the 482nd-ranked golfer in the world. His last Korn Ferry Tour start came in 2023. His only PGA Tour start came at the 2015 Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Maguire will start Sunday one shot back of McKibbin, but won’t be the only contender within arm’s reach of the young star. Uihlein is two back, Australian Scott Hend and Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat are three back. Charles Howell III and Louis Oosthuizen are four back.

McKibbin’s bid for a wire-to-wire win hit an early snag on Saturday when his bogey-free streak ended with a dropped shot at the third hole. But the 22-year-old bounced back with birdies at 4, 5, 6, 9, and 12. He made bogey at 15 but birdied 16 and 17 to edge in front of Maguire heading into Sunday’s final-round showdown.

“It was pretty good overall,” McKibbin said. “I felt the course was playing a little tougher – the pins seemed harder, but I played some very nice golf. I holed a few good putts, and everything felt solid.”

Eighteen holes — and a pack of chasers — stand between McKibbin and two major tickets and a chance to join McIlroy on the long list of Hong Kong Open winners.

“To win any tournament means a lot, and with the history behind this event and the people who have won it before, it would be very special,” McKibbin said.