Hong Kong Open: Tom McKibben leads the chase for the Masters

Tom McKibbin’s bid to qualify for next year’s Masters and Open continued in impressive fashion when he carded a second-round 65 to lead the Hong Kong Open by two shots at the halfway point.

The player from Northern Ireland opened the tournament on the Asian Tour with a record 60 rounds at Fanling.

Although he couldn’t reach the same heights on Friday, his bogey-free round at five under par put him two points ahead of American Peter Uhlin and the Thai duo of Kiradesh Avipparrnat and Jazz Janwattanand.

McKibben, who joined LIV Golf earlier this year, began his second round with two birdies on the opening three holes.

The 22-year-old has made three more birdies in a row from the 12th and is under 15 at the halfway point.

The winner of that event will qualify for the 2026 Masters, while the higher-placed non-exempt player who qualifies will earn a spot in the field at the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale in July.

McKibbin has never played in the Masters at Augusta National and failed to reach The Open at Royal Portrush in July.

Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell missed the cut in Hong Kong after finishing four under over 36 holes.