McKibbin starts hot in Rd. 1 of Genesis Scottish Open
Legion XIII star Tom McKibbin led the seven LIV Golf players in the field at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick with a 3-under 67 on Thursday.
Tom McKibbin came to North Berwick this week looking for some positive momentum. He may have found something more than that.
The 23-year-old Northern Irishman carded a 3-under 67 in the opening round of the Genesis Scottish Open, sitting T13 and just two shots off the lead shared by Rory McIlroy, Patrick Cantlay, Tom Kim, and Bernd Wiesberger.
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The young Legion XIII star is just a few hours away from home and on a links layout that suits everything about his game. He gave the familiar fans something to cheer about on Thursday, and with three rounds to play, he is very much alive both in this tournament and in his attempt to bring some form into The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale next week, which he qualified for with his win at the Link Hong Kong Open back in November.
The rest of the LIV Golf contingent had a mixed day. Majesticks Golf Club’s Laurie Canter and Cleeks Golf Club teammates Victor Perez and Adrian Meronk each posted 1-under 69s to sit T53, which is well within the projected cut line. But the trio will need to make up some ground on Friday if they want to contend on the weekend.
Legion XIII star Tyrrell Hatton, one of the more dangerous players in the field on paper after his Valderrama win, had a frustrating even-par 70 and will need to find another gear on Friday to keep his week alive.
The most difficult rounds belonged to two Spanish LIV Golf stars. Legion XIII Captain Jon Rahm, the five-time Rolex Series champion who arrived in Scotland as one of the tournament favorites and who spent Tuesday speaking at length about his love for links golf, struggled to a 3-over 73. He will need a significant turnaround on Friday to make the cut.
Fireballs GC’s David Puig had an even tougher day, signing for a 5-over 75 and is in serious danger of an early exit.
