The International Swing reaches a climax this week on the DP World Tour as Glendower Golf Club plays host to the Jonsson Workwear Open and should Tom McKibbin claim his second DP World Tour victory, he’d likely finish runner-up to fellow Holywood clubman Rory McIlroy in the International Swing rankings.
Thanks to victory at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, McIlroy’s top spot in the Swing is all tied up, meaning he’ll receive a $200,000 bonus, and though McKibbin would receive no financial reward for coming second, it would be further proof that the Co. Down club has an embarrassment of riches on the pro golfing scene. And he’d actually upstage his elder counterpart in a way, as McIlroy’s one appearance at Glendower resulted in a play-off defeat to England’s Graeme Storm back in 2017.
The younger Holywood man has been in fine form in 2024, not finishing outside the top 16 in each of his last four starts and riding the crest of a ‘made-cut’ streak that extends back as far as the Open de España in early October. But he’s making his first appearance at Glendower, a course that appears long at first but is considerably shortened by being a mile above sea level, and is considered one of the top courses in South Africa, as evidenced by hosting the national open and national amateur championships on multiple occasions.
Fast becoming an excellent all-rounder, McKibbin will fancy his chances once again, with accuracy off the tee paramount on a course where few birdies are given away cheaply.
German Nick Bachem is the defending champion, though his victory came at Steyn City Golf Club, a course that presents a markedly different challenge to Glendower, and the last four winners on the DP World Tour are all teeing it up this week in Edenvale, Guateng.
Dylan Frittelli, Rikuya Hoshino, Darius van Driel and Jordan Gumberg, the latter of whom won in a play-off last week at St. Francis Links, are all in the top 10 on the International Swing standings.
There a host of home favourites in action, including DP World Tour winners Thriston Lawrence, Ockie Strydom and Darren Fichardt, while rising stars Casey Jarvis and Jayden Schaper are talents to watch out for along with last week’s runner-up Robin Williams.
Scotland’s Connor Syme will be looking to continue his excellent form which has seen him record back-to-back top 10s as he seeks an elusive DP World Tour title, while Andy Sullivan and Brandon Stone are both former winners on the DP World Tour at this week’s host venue.
There are also a raft of Challenge Tour graduates in action, including the in-form Ugo Coussaud and Jesper Svensson.
McKibbin gets his opening round underway on the first hole alongside Frenchman David Ravetto and Coussaud at 09:50 Irish time, and they’ll be among the featured groups on Sky Sports with Bachem, last week’s winner Gumberg and local star Lawrence in the group behind.
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