Tom McKibbin clocks up career milestone with major debut at US Open around Pinehurst
Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin walked off after his first round of a career major appearance with a four-over card of 74.
The 21-year-old stepped out at Pinehurst for a debut major in the same field as the game’s greats with an early birdie at the US Open.
That boost arrived four holes in before he capped the first leg with a double-bogey on the 15th and bogey two holes later.
Bogey scores were posted on the first and eighth holes from McKibbin’s first taste of life on the big stage, having secured his spot via qualifying.
McKibbin, a winner of a maiden European Tour title in 2023, was back at Pinehurst nine years on from his US Kids Golf World Championships triumph.
He will, once again, line out alongside Rico Hoey and Matteo Manassero for his second round on Friday, from 5.30PM (UK time).
In advance of his debut major appearance, McKibbin described in a blog post on the DP World Tour website his excitement at the career progress.
"Being at Pinehurst, memories of my win at this venue in the US Kids Golf World Championships in 2015 do come to me, just driving around the resort and the buildings,” he wrote. “For me to play my first major at a venue that I have been to before and really like, with those memories, is great.
"It’s pretty cool too for my family as well.
"My mum and dad have been here with me before when I was a kid.
"It is special for all of us. It feels like it was meant to be.
"I’m trying to treat it like any other week...ultimately I will try to do the same as I would usually and hopefully by the end of the week I will have learned a lot and seen where my game is at compared to the best players in the world.”