MCKIBBIN: I'D LIV TO FINISH WITH FLOURISH

Tom keen to cap impressive campaign

- BY MICHAEL SCULLY

Tom McKibbin, another graduate of Holywood GC, was also at work on the famous Straffan track, fresh from his maiden season as a LIV golfer.

He played nine holes in the morning before stopping at the putting green to discuss his year and his hopes of getting back into the world’s top 100 - and into some of the Majors next year.

It was a case of making hay while the sun shines. Bad weather is set to roll in today and hang around on Thursday, when the tournament tees off.

This will be the 22-year-old's fourth Irish Open - his second at the K Club - and he is back home after collecting a cool €4m for the season on the Saudi-backed rebel tour.

It has been nine months since he caused a sensation by turning down a PGA Tour card to join Jon Rahm's Legion XIII team.

"I want to come back here and take from what I've learned and how I played, really try and make a good dent in the next four or five events over here, just try and get another win. It’s been two years since the last one so I'd love to put myself in a position each week to hopefully contend.

“I've been playing nicely so hopefully I can bring a little bit of that form into this week.

“The course is looking good. The way my game’s shaping up, and I like the course, hopefully I can have a good week.”

McKibbin was properly home in July to play The Open Championship in Portrush. However, he didn't make the weekend.