McKibbin looking to pass McIlroy as Irish golf’s youngest two-time winner

Tom McKibbin

Holywood’s Tom McKibbin can beat Rory McIlroy and become the youngest Irish golfer to win twice on the DP World Tour after an eight-under 64 left him just two shots behind clubhouse leader Matteo Manassero in the Jonsson Workwear Open in South Africa.

The Newtownabbey star was 20 when he won the Porsche European Open last June to become the second youngest Irish winner since a 19-year-old McIlroy claimed the first of his four Dubai Desert Classic wins in 2009.

But after making an eagle and six birdies in a bogey-free effort at Glendower Golf Club to move up to third on 13-under, the 21-year-old is on track to outstrip McIlroy, who was 22 when he won his second title in Hong Kong in 2011.

Italian star Manassero (30), who remains the youngest player to win on the European circuit, having claimed the 2010 Castello Masters at 17 years and 188 days, made two eagles and seven birdies in an 11-under 61 to lead by a shot from South Africa’s Oliver Bekker on 15-under.

But McKibbin, who is tied for third with Spain’s Angel Hidalgo, has no plans to take his foot off the gas.

“Obviously bogey-free today, which was nice,” McKibbin said. “I tidied up a few things from yesterday, and it was a good solid round.”

Overnight rain further softened the course, but he was pleased to manage his spin control on a low-scoring morning and keep the leader in his sights.

“I think actually, with the greens being so soft, it gets a bit trickier because some of the pins are quite close to some slopes,” he said when insisting the rain had not made the course easier. 

“So trying to manage the spin and take it off is quite tricky. So I wouldn't say it made it easier at all.”

After finishing 44th in the Race to Dubai rankings in his rookie year, he’s 24th so far this season and looking to push on after notching five top-25 finishes in his first seven starts.

“My game feels very good. It's been very sort of consistent this year,” said McKibbin, who is a clear contender to win one of ten PGA TOUR cards. 

“Very solid, sort of good feelings each week. So yes, it's feeling good.”

He knows he has his work cut out to deny Manassero a fifth DP World Tour win and plans to remain on the attack. 

“Just much more of the same,” said the Northern Ireland star, who covered the back nine in five under 31 thanks to birdies at the 11th, 12th, 16th, 17th and 18th before following another birdie at the third with an eagle three at the sixth.

“Just staying aggressive and sort of keep doing what I'm doing.”

Manassero eagled the 11th and 17th and added birdies at the 10th, 12th, 15th and 16th to turn in a blistering 28.

He picked up further shots at the second, fourth and sixth to go 11-under for the round and needed birdies at his last two holes to shoot 59.

But while he had to settle for two pars, an 11-under 61 represented a career low for the 2013 BMW PGA champion.