McKibbin continues impressive rookie season with sixth top-25 from 11 starts
Tom McKibbin pictured during the Rolex Callenge Tour Grand Final at Alcanada Golf Club in Mallorca. Picture: Niall O'Shea
Holywood's Tom McKibbin continued his impressive start to his rookie season by racking up his sixth top-25 from 11 starts in the SDC Championship in South Africa.
The Newtownabbey star (20) was tied 98th after an opening 76 at St. Francis Links in Eastern Cape before roaring back with rounds of 65, 72 and 69 to finish tied 18th behind England's Matthew Baldwin on six-under-par in just his 11th start.
"Game is in good shape," McKibbin said. "Putts weren't dropping, but the greens were pretty slow, so I'm not worrying about that."
McKibbin is now 67th in the Race to Dubai with tournament earnings of €134,886.
He finished 12 strokes behind Baldwin, who began the day alongside Kristian Krogh Johannessen at the top of the leaderboard but made three birdies in the last four holes of his delayed third round to take a four-stroke advantage into round four.
Playing in his 200th event after 11 years on tour, Southport-born Baldwin closed with a four-under 68 to win on 18-under-par from Spain's Adri Arnaus.
"I'm not 100 per cent sure what's just happened," said Baldwin, who lost most of the 2015 season due to illness before losing his card in 2016.
Dedicating his win to his late stepfather, he added: "It's been a tough few years, so obviously to get the win means absolutely everything. I can't process it right now, but it means the world to me.
"It's been windy all week, it's that sort of golf course. Fortunately for me, I've grown up playing in Southport at Hesketh and Royal Birkdale, so I'm pretty good in the wind and it's worked out a treat for me.
"Obviously I'd like to thank St. Francis Links, the golf course has been fantastic this week; the DP World Tour for putting on superb events, as do the Sunshine Tour - they always welcome us down here."
Dedicating the victory to his late stepfather, Baldwin said: "It’s been a tough 12 months. My stepdad died last May, and this is for him."
On the PGA Tour, Taylor Moore claimed his maiden title when he closed with a four-under 67 to win the Valspar Championship by a shot from Adam Schenk on 10-under par at Innisbrook Resort.
The 29-year-old Texan came home in three-under-33 to set the clubhouse target and looked on as Schenk drove left behind a tree at the 18th and made bogey to finish second after a closing 70.
Tommy Fleetwood and Jordan Spieth also shot 70 to finish tied for third, a shot further back.
On the PGA Tour Champions, Pádraig Harrington signed off with a five-under 66 to finish tied for seventh with Darren Clarke, who shot 67, in the Hoag Classic at Newport Beach Country Club in California.
He finished on 10-under par, three strokes behind Ernie Els, who closed with a bogey-free, six-under 65 to win by one stroke from Steve Stricker and Doug Barron on 13-under par.
