McKibbin patiently waiting to discover major mojo

Tom McKibbin admits his game needs a spark as he looks to register his highest major championship finish at this week’s 154th Open at Royal Birkdale.

To do that, the 23-year-old Newtownabbey man will need to make his first major cut in four starts in what is his seventh appearance in one of golf’s flagship events. Like much of his season, his opening round was low key as he mixed two birdies and three bogeys to a one-over 71 in the glorious morning conditions.

“I’ve played what, the seven now, and obviously I still get nervous, but I want to play well,” he said.

“The hard thing is that they’re so hard, and they’re so tricky. If you don’t play great the first day, it’s hard to come back.

“So I think there’s obviously a lot of pressure on the first round, and it’s something I’m just still trying to get used to.”

McKibbin’s voyage into the majors began brightly with a 41st place finish at the 2024 US Open while he made the cut on his Open debut in Troon and at the US PGA in Quail Hollow. However, he missed the cut at the Open in Royal Portrush last year before bowing out early on debut at the Masters in April and at the US PGA.

Tipped for big things, McKibbin wants to get comfortable in his own lane and playing four rounds of golf here this week will be a step forward.

“First, I just probably want to finish the highest I’ve ever finished,” he said of his Major ambitions. “I think 40-something is my best finish, so finishing higher than that is the first thing.

“Something around the top 20 would be nice, just having a nice weekend. At this rate, I’ve missed the cut in the last three, so I just want to play all four rounds at the minute. I’m making my way into the Majors a little bit slower than I would like, but one over is nothing to complain about. I can go out and have a nice next few days.”

The world number 135 has had some consistent results both on the regular tours and LIV. Since the Masters he has one top-5, two missed cuts and five finishes between 21st and 30th. He is looking for more as the summer ticks on.