Who is Tom McKibbin? 20-year-old emerges as surprise leader at DP World Tour's Singapore Classic

Tom McKibbin has stunned the golf world by leading the pack at the Singapore Classic. He did this by shooting eight-under 64 on Thursday. The Irish golfer is 20 years old and has one top-10 finish on the DP World Tour. He has also missed the cut in two of his three events in 2023, so this is a shock.

Somehow, McKibbin holed eight birdies, including a run of five of the last eight holes, without recording a single bogey in the round. It was a stunning round of golf for the relative newcomer.

What's even more impressive is that McKibbin was a full stroke ahead of four others:

• Matthieu Pavon of France
• Sami Valimaki of Finland
• Joakim Lagergren of Sweden
• Simon Forsstrom of Sweden

At No. 30, Ryan Fox of New Zealand is by far the highest-ranked player in the world in this tournament. Stunningly, McKibbin is ranked just 308th.

McKibbin said via Sky Sports:

"I played solid golf, a bit of luck here and there. It hasn't been far away these last few weeks, so seeing a round like that was nice. I've played with Rory [McIlroy] quite a bit; I've been able to watch him, and playing with him has been valuable for me to see where my game is at. It's been good for me to have some moments with him."

That relationship with McIlroy, as well as the fact that they're both from the same place, has drawn comparisons for the world number 308 and the world number one.

McKibbin has ways to go before he reaches McIlroy's iconic status. However, if he can continue to build on performances like this stellar round of golf, they'll stop being so surprising, and the comparisons will feel much more warranted.

Tom McKibbin said via The Irish Times:

“A very good day. I went out there after the practice rounds, the course was pretty tricky if you find the wrong spots on the greens. I navigated the course well, eight birdies and no bogeys is a nice way to start. I played nicely last week, a few bad holes here and there, so it’s nice to continue that nice form I had nice week."

Tom McKibbin at the Singapore Classic

This could be the start of something:

“Life’s pretty nice if you’re playing well, it’s different if you’re not. I’m enjoying it. I’ve played enough of these events that it feels normal to me now, but it’s great fun. I’m getting pretty comfortable. It’s natural to me to come here and play now."

Tom McKibbin hopes to continue his good fortune and good play through the rest of the Singapore Classic.

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Tom McKibbin leads Matthieu Pavon by a stroke in Singapore

Despite trailing after one round to Tom McKibbin, Matthieu Pavon is pleased with his performance:

"Overall it was pretty good. My only bogey was on the last, the ninth, but we knew it was a tough hole. I just missed my drive a little bit and was in trouble in the left trap. I tried to make a great four to finish, but it was a bad putt, a bad read. I made five but everything else was really, really good."

McKibbin has his work cut out to hold Pavon and company off.