Irish teenager Tom McKibbin nailed a hole-in-one in an impressive opening round of 67 in the South African Open.
The 19-year-old is playing his second ever DP World Tour event, and has showed he is one for the future as he nailed a hugely impressive hole-in one on the 11th hole.
He judged his tee shot to perfection, as it landed on the green before bouncing and rolling into the hole to the delight of himself and his caddie, with the commentator calling it the perfect pace.
Hole in one for 19 year old Tom McKibbin, playing in South Africa in his second DP World Tour event since getting full card. pic.twitter.com/fxye3BNs4O
— Fintan O'Toole (@fotoole13) December 1, 2022
Tom McKibbin is only two shots off the lead as of writing, with Thristion Lawrence leading the tournament on seven under. From Hollywood, the home of world number one Rory McIlroy, it looks like Down have produced another top golfer in Tom McKibbin, who only secured his touring card for the DP World Tour last month.
Prior to entering the top level, he was turning heads with his performances in the second-tier Challenge tour.
If his recent performances are anything to go buy, he may be challenging his fellow homeland golfer for trophies sooner than he anticipated. The similarities between the pair have already been seen, with Tom McKibbin the youngest player since McIlroy to earn a DP World Tour card.
His talents were on full display in Mallorca last month in the Rolex Challenge Tour to secure his place in the DP World Tour, and he hasn't looked out of place whatsoever with today's stunning hole in one in an incredible first round.
His talents have been spotted and a very young age, as he was invited by Graeme McDowell to tournaments once he noticed his exploits as a young teenager across the world.
In a year where the game has been caught up in controversy, the rising progress of Ireland's next big prospect in golf is welcome to see.
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