Hong Kong Open: Tom McKibbin continues to lead after the third round

Hong Kong Open – Third Round

-20 T McKibbin (NI); -19 MJ Maguire (USA); -18 B. Yohlen (United States); -17 K Aviparrnrat (THA), S Hind (Australia); -16 C. Hoyle (USA), L. Oosthuizen (SA).

Others selected: -9 S Horsfield (Eng), P Reed (US); -8 T. Gooch (USA); -5 B. Casey (M.).

Full leaderboards, external

Tom McKibbin boosted his bid to qualify for next year’s Masters and Open Championship with a third-round 65 as he continued to lead the Hong Kong Open.

After opening the tournament with a record 60 and a second-round card of 65, McKibben recorded one bogey and two birdies on the opening four holes of the third day at Fanling.

The 22-year-old would add another birdie on the 12th before back-to-back birdies on the 16th and 17th holes reached 65 on the penultimate day.

The winner of the event will qualify for the 2026 Masters, while the higher-placed non-exempt player will qualify for the 154th Open Championship.

The Northern Ireland native is trying to qualify for next year’s Masters for the first time, and the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in July.

McKibbin’s lead over MJ Maguire was reduced to one point after 54 holes, with Peter Uihlein two shots behind and Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Scott Hend three behind.