He chose LIV Golf over the PGA Tour. Now he earned a Masters invite

Tom McKibbin Chooses LIV Golf Over PGA Tour

Tom McKibbin made waves by opting for LIV Golf instead of the PGA Tour. This decision initially seemed to close off his chances for major championship invitations due to LIV Golf's lack of World Ranking points.

Victory at the Hong Kong Open

On Sunday, McKibbin won the Hong Kong Open, held in China, securing an important breakthrough. Entering the final round with a one-shot lead, the 22-year-old Northern Irish player dominated to win by seven strokes.

Impact of the Win

His impressive final round 63, following an opening 60, brought his total to 27 under par. This victory granted him invitations to prestigious tournaments, including the 2026 Masters and the Open Championship, enabled by recent changes in qualifying criteria.

“Very excited to go back and play my third Open, it will be very, very cool,” McKibbin said. “And to have that drive down Magnolia Lane for the first time ever, it will be even more special. You know, I think sort of historic tournaments like this deserve those spots, and yeah, it’s great to sort of take advantage of those.”

Challenges of Playing on LIV Golf

McKibbin’s choice meant limited opportunities on tours that offer World Ranking points, which are crucial for earning major invites. Instead, he had to compete in events like the Asian Tour, where many LIV Golf players participated.

Competition Highlights

American Peter Uihlein finished second in the tournament, trailing McKibbin.

Summary

Tom McKibbin's bold choice of LIV Golf did not hinder his rise; his Hong Kong Open win secured him a rare Masters invitation, showcasing persistence amid limited ranking opportunities.

GOLF.com — 2025-11-02