Tom McKibbin’s bid to qualify for subsequent 12 months’s Masters and Open Championship continued in spectacular style when he carded a second-round 65 to guide the Hong Kong Open by two photographs on the halfway level.
The participant from Northern Eire opened the event on the Asian Tour with a course record of 60 at Fanling.
Whereas he couldn’t fairly hit the identical heights on Friday, his bogey-free five-under-par spherical saved him two photographs away from American Peter Uihlein and Thailand duo Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Jazz Janewattananond.
McKibbin, who joined LIV Golf earlier this 12 months, started his second spherical with two birdies in his opening three holes.
The 22-year-old reeled off three extra birdies in a row from the twelfth and is 15 underneath on the midway stage.
The winner of the occasion will qualify for the 2026 Masters, whereas the highest-placed non-exempt participant who makes the minimize will earn a spot within the subject for the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale in July.
McKibbin has by no means performed within the Masters at Augusta Nationwide and he didn’t make the minimize at The Open at Royal Portrush in July.
Northern Eire’s Graeme McDowell missed the minimize in Hong Kong after he completed 4 underneath after 36 holes.
