Golf

Irish teen star to play alongside Rory McIlroy in pro-am

Tom McKibbin, 13, has already won World Junior Championship

Rory McIlroy pictured with Tom McKibbin at the Dell Match Play in Austin back in March. The 13-year-old will play alongside McIlroy in the pro-am for the Irish Open later this month. Photograph: David Cannon/Getty Images
Rory McIlroy pictured with Tom McKibbin at the Dell Match Play in Austin back in March. The 13-year-old will play alongside McIlroy in the pro-am for the Irish Open later this month. Photograph: David Cannon/Getty Images
Mon May 02 2016 - 14:43

Northern Irish teenager Tom McKibbin has been invited to play alongside Rory McIlroy in the pro-am ahead of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at The K Club on May 18th.

McKibbin, 13, took up golf just before his ninth birthday and won the Junior Honda Classic in Florida earlier this year. In August 2015 he won the World Junior Championships aged 12. McIlroy won the same event at the age of nine.

“Tom McKibbin is a great talent,” said McIlroy, whose foundation is hosting the Irish Open for the second year. “I played a round with Tom in Florida recently and he is the real deal.

“At only 13 years of age I think he has a remarkable golfing future ahead of him. Having seen him play a couple of times now, he impresses me more each time. And I can think of no better place to showcase his talents than at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at The K Club.”

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McKibbin, who is also a member of Holywood Golf Club, said: “I met Rory while I was in Dubai last October and we got chatting while we were both practising. When I won the Honda Classic in Florida in January, Rory sent me a message and invited me to play golf with him.

“I have to thank Rory for inviting me to play in the pro-am at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. Not only do I get a day off school, but I get to play alongside one of the best golfers in the world! It’s getting close now and I’m pretty excited. I’ve been practising as often as possible.”