LIV phenomenon halfway to bid for Masters, Open places

This week’s Link Hong Kong Open 2025 is not a normal Asian Tour event. There are huge rewards at stake for winning the event this year, namely spots in the Masters and the 2026 Open Championship.

Given the major consequences, there are dozens of LIV Golf professionals in the field this week. And after posting the lowest score of his life in Round 1, phenom Tom Mckibbin, one of LIV’s newest members, has the best chance to land those big invites.

Here’s what you need to know.

Tom McKibbin’s controversial decision to join LIV

First, some background on McKibbin. The 22-year-old from Northern Ireland has been one of the most promising golfers in the world in recent years.

In 2024, McKibbin played the DP World Tour well enough to earn his 2025 PGA Tour card. But there was one complication for the rising star: LIV Golf had also made him an offer.

McKibbin is from Northern Ireland and grew up at Holywood Golf Club, the same course where Rory McIlroy learned the game.

Given their connection, McKibbin called McIlroy to get advice on the big decision he had to make: should he join the PGA Tour with McIlroy or play at LIV Golf?

McIlroy tried to convince McKibbin to choose the PGA Tour, arguing that he risked giving up other opportunities if he went to LIV.

“I think so [McKibbin] potential is sacrificing and giving up access to majors, a potential spot in the Ryder Cup,” McIlroy told reporters in January. “If I was in his position and I had his potential, which I think I’ve had before, I wouldn’t make that decision. [to join LIV].”

Although McKibbin admitted to considering McIlroy’s advice, he ultimately decided to turn down the PGA Tour in favor of LIV.

The fact that he was not qualified at the time for the majors in 2025 influenced his decision.

“But I guess I wasn’t there — I’m not in those majors right now anyway, so it didn’t bother me that much,” McKibbin said earlier this year.

But now McKibbin has a legitimate chance to qualify for two 2026 majors in Hong Kong.

Tom Mckibbin sees Masters invitation after shooting 60

More than two dozen LIV Golf professionals are teeing off at the Hong Kong Open, and only two of them already have a spot in the Masters or Open Championship in 2026. Patrick Reed, who won last year’s Hong Kong Open by 59 shots, has qualified for the Masters as a former champion.

Fellow LIV pro and big winner Louis Oosthuizen will play against the 2026 Open Champions in the same way as past winners.

But most are in the field hoping to earn their way to the Masters and Open, a more difficult task for LIV professionals as no world ranking points are awarded at LIV Golf events.

That proved enough incentive for McKibbin to have one of the best rounds of his career. The Northern Irish pro fired a six-under 60 on Thursday, with eight birdies, one eagle and zero bogeys.

“It was obviously a very, very good round. I didn’t really miss many shots, holed some nice putts and took advantage of the two par-5s that were there. And yes, 60 shots later, here I am!” McKoibbin said after his round.

He added: “60 is the lowest round I’ve ever shot – 62 was my best before. So it was nice to break that, fantastic.”

Although he fell just short of matching Reed’s 59 from last year, McKibbin’s 60 actually set the course record, as Reed’s 59 was shot under the lift, clean and place rules. He then followed it up with a 65 in the second round to extend a two-shot lead at the halfway mark. Peter Uihlein, Jazz Janewattananond and Kiradech Aphibarnrat are tied for second at 13 under.

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