McKibbin has A-list game for debut but no Plan-B

Tom McKibbin. Photograph by Darren Carroll in 2019

Tom McKibbin has been hailed as the new Rory McIlroy, but the Holywood hotshot admits he's got no Plan B as he makes his professional debut in the Tenerife Open.

The Co Down star (18) enjoyed a stellar amateur career, winning a host of prestigious under 18 titles and putting in some eye-catching performance in senior events before becoming the youngest international since McIlroy at 16.

But after opting against taking up a US scholarship at the University of Florida, he admits his future is riding on golf and his ambition to follow in his mentor's footsteps and become a Major winner and world No 1.

"There is no Plan B," admitted McKibbin, who will have two of McIlroy's close friends at his side this week in manager Mitchell Tweedie and caddie, Ricky McCormick, the Holywood assistant professional. "I'll just focus on Plan A, and hopefully, that will work."

He's been compared with his club mate McIlroy since he won the World Junior, aged 12, but he doesn't consider that a burden.

Rory McIlroy and Tom McKibbin (second from right) watch another player in action during a clinic at the 2109 Junior Invitational at Sage Valley. Photograph by Darren Carroll

"It's probably a massive compliment," said McKibbin, who was "confused" rather than disappointed by his non-selection for next week's Walker Cup. "I'm obviously doing something right.

"I'd love to be winning majors and become world number one. That would be an awesome achievement. Those would be some long-term ambitions, to be the best."

Making the grade at the professional level has become increasingly difficult for Ireland's amateur stars, but McKibbin has such cachet, bookies BoyleSports is offering just 66-1 against him winning a European Tour event this year.

McKibbin admits he barely knows Niall Kearney (33) and Jonathan Caldwell (36), who were contemporaries of McIlroy, or 2015 Walker Cup players Paul Dunne (28) and Cormac Sharvin (28), who are all in the field at Golf Costa Adeje.

In an ironic twist, Dunne will have his 2015 Walker Cup teammate, former boys golf standout Jack Hume, on his bag.

Hume won all four Boys provincial titles in 2010 before going on to 2015 Walker Cup glory with Sharvin, Dunne, Gavin Moynihan and Gary Hurley, but after turning professional, the Naas man quickly faded out of golf.

"I've talked to Rory quite a bit, he's given me his opinion, and I'm probably just going to keep all that to myself," McKibbin said. "But he's been great to me, and I'm really thankful for that. It's just awesome to be able to get to ask him questions and learn from him."

On the Challenge Tour, Moynihan joins Michael Hoey in the Bain's Whisky Cape Town Open as Graeme McDowell plays the PGA Tour's Valspar Championship, where Paul Casey will be bidding for a hat-trick of wins.

Casey is clearly no fan of the PGA Tour's new Player Impact Programme, which will see the season's top-10 most influential players share $40 million.

"How to distribute those riches? Yeah, it's probably not the way I would have played it." Casey said. "I've got a lot of ideas, but that wasn't it."