If Tom McKibbin is going to lift his first individual LIV Golf title then South Africa seems like a pretty good place to do it.
The Northern Irishman may be one of the younger players on the Saudi backed tour, but, he is one of the most experienced campaigners when it comes to playing golf in South Africa and he will feel like he’s at a home away from home at Steyn City this week.
McKibbin’s start to his second season on LIV has been steady with finishes of 17th, 44th, 24th and 21st. Unfortunately he hasn’t earned any world ranking points yet and could fall out of the top-100 this weekend. No better place to clinch a victory and soar up the rankings then.
“I think this is my 11th trip here to South Africa. I’ve been here a lot over the last three or four years. Sort of started my journey as a pro off down here playing Challenge Tour, and then on the DP events, and now here,” said McKibbin who has had a hole in one in South Africa before.
“Yeah, I’ve played this course three years ago sort of around this same time. I think it’s a very different style of golf here. Obviously a very different type of grass to hit off.
“I think hopefully knowing that I’ve played on it so many times and I know what I like and dislike about it, sort of hitting off some of these lies, hopefully I can use that to my advantage a little bit and hopefully have a good week.”
This is the last LIV Golf event before the Masters next month at Augusta National and McKibbin will be keen to ensure he bounces down Magnolia Lane in fine form while he will also go on a pre-tournament scouting mission with Tyrrell Hatton during the two week break between events.
The 23-year-old will make his Masters debut after earning a spot in the field following his Hong Kong Open win in 2025.
“Yeah, something I’m really excited to do, go for the first time and sort of get to enjoy that experience playing with Tyrrell, who’s obviously — as I said, that’s his tenth trip. Yeah, I’m really looking forward to it and excited.
“All I’ve heard is how hilly it is and some of the lies on the fairway, some of the slopes. I don’t think I’ll be able to quite wrap my head around some of the stances and things like that.
“I think seeing that in person will be probably the biggest surprise. Yeah, I’ve watched it on TV now probably for 14 or 15 years. Yeah, just sort of excited to sort of see all those places where some of those famous shots were hit from and things like that. It will be pretty cool.”
McKibbin’s Masters memories include a lot of late night viewing particularly last year where he was up until the early hours watching his Holywood club mate Rory McIlroy complete the career grand slam.
“I was in Dubai watching — I think I was up until like 3:00, 4:00 in the morning every night watching, trying to stay awake. Yeah, it was a very long week for me, just not much sleep, and yeah, watching it from home. To sort of see the whole week as it went and then obviously that very dramatic Sunday and back nine was very interesting to watch.
“Obviously the outcome was amazing, and obviously something he had been trying to do for a very long time, and to see him achieve that was really cool. But to sort of watch some of those moments that he put himself in was kind of difficult.
“But yeah, that’s my memories of it. A lot of late nights watching.”
A McIlroy and McKibbin practice round at Augusta National would be a special moment.
“I haven’t really thought about it, to be totally honest. I’m sure I’ll play with these guys. Yeah, if those guys want to play, as well, I’ll gladly play with them, too. Yeah, trying to get as much sort of experience and learn from a lot of the guys that did well there. So yeah, try and plan to play with as many people as I can.”
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