LIV phenomenon Hong Kong Open chance at more than just big places

Tom McKibbin knows what’s at stake on Sunday as he heads into the final round of the LINK Hong Kong Open with a one-shot lead.

When McKibbin opted to give up his PGA Tour card to join LIV Golf earlier this year, he understood the move would make it more difficult for him to earn major championship starts. With LIV Golf still not receiving official World Golf Ranking points, McKibbin would have to rely on DP World Tour starts and the exemptions granted to LIV Golf by the governing bodies.

McKibbin has played in two of the four Majors this season, but his major championship future for 2026 is up in the air. But that could change on Sunday if McKibbin can hold aside a pack of challengers, including Americans MJ Maguire and Peter Uihlein. Thanks to a recent decision by Augusta National Golf Club and the R&A, the winner of the Hong Kong Open will receive an invitation to the 2026 Masters and Open Championship, which is why McKibbin and several of his LIV Golf compatriots will be teeing it up this week.

“I think everyone came here knowing the spots were available,” McKibbin said Saturday. “It’s okay to finish second or third, and that doesn’t really change. I might as well stick to my mentality to give it a good try.”

McKibbin opened the tournament with a course record 10-under 60 and backed that up with two straight 65s. For much of the week it looked like it would be an uneventful march towards a major prize for the Northern Irishman, one that would not only culminate in trips to Augusta and Royal Birkdale, but would also see him join a star-studded group of Hong Kong Open winners including his idol Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and Tom Watson.

But Maguire’s Saturday 61 has changed the outlook for Sunday’s final round. Maguire is now just one shot behind McKibbin and has his eyes set on ruining the LIV phenomenon’s plans for 2026.

“There’s definitely a lot to play for,” Maguire said. “So I’ll try to take it shot by shot and stay focused.”

The 33-year-old Maguire is the 482nd ranked golfer in the world. His last start on the Korn Ferry Tour was in 2023. His only start on the PGA Tour was at the 2015 Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Maguire will start one stroke behind McKibbin on Sunday, but won’t be the only contender within easy reach of the young star. Uihlein is two back, Australian Scott Hend and Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat are three back. Charles Howell III and Louis Oosthuizen are back with four.

McKibbin’s bid for a wire-to-wire victory hit a snag early on Saturday when his bogey-free streak ended with a drop shot on the third hole. But the 22-year-old bounced back with birdies at 4, 5, 6, 9 and 12. He bogeyed 15 but made birdies at 16 and 17 to move ahead of Maguire heading into Sunday’s final-round showdown.

“It was pretty good overall,” McKibbin said. “I felt like the course played a little harder – the pins seemed harder, but I played some really nice golf. I holed a few good putts and everything felt solid.”

Eighteen holes – and a group of chasers – stand between McKibbin and two big tickets and a chance to join McIlroy on the long list of Hong Kong Open winners.

“Winning any tournament means a lot, and with the history behind this event and the people who have won it before, it would be very special,” McKibbin said.