Moneyball – McKibbin strikes it big in the Far East

Tom McKibbin’s decision to join LIV earlier this year came as something of a surprise since the 22-year-old had earned a PGA Tour card, but it was one that paid off handsomely in financial terms.

$4,373,801 in individual earnings, coupled with an addition $2 million-plus for his part in Legion XIII’s impressive season that culminated in victory in the LIV Team Championship, would’ve placed him inside the top 25 on the PGA Tour money list and that would’ve been a very impressive rookie campaign.

The $360,000 first-place prize money he earned for his wire-to-wire victory in Hong Kong might be small potatoes in comparison, but the additional benefits it carried were worth their weight in gold as he’s now guaranteed his place at Royal Birkdale for the 154th Open Championship and at Augusta National where he’ll appear in his first Masters.

And with the DP World Tour playoffs in the Middle East to follow, things can only get better for the soon-to-be 23-year-old.

Japanese rookie sensation Miyu Yamashita started the final round eight shots in arrears of Hye-Jin Choi at the LPGA’s Maybank Championship in Malaysia, likely targeting a runner-up finish at best, but just over five hours later she was walking off with a playoff victory secured and the $450,000 first prize.

Choi, who finished tied for second alongside Hannah Green, had to settle for just over half of that, and her hunt for a first LPGA Tour victory continues.

The final leg of Leona Maguire’s eastern adventures ended with a disappointing T60 finish and $7,322 in prize money, and she returns to the United States with qualification for the season-ending CME Globe Championship the top priority when the Annika kicks off in Florida in a fortnight’s time.

Hong Kong Open selected payouts

LPGA Maybank Championship selected payouts