Rising golf talent Tom McKibbin has been tipped for the top as the 19-year-old's stock continues to rise in the game.
McKibbin claimed a superb top-10 finish at last week's ISPS Handa World Invitational, his best result since turning professional last year.
Golf commentator and former pro Gary Murphy believes McKibbin has the "character and mentality" to continue climbing the ladder. And he says the teenager's success can help push on other young Irish golfers.
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Speaking in his weekly column for the Mirror, Murphy said: "Tom McKIbbIn continues to make forward strides and his first DP World Tour top-10 finish on home soil was one of the highlights of last week’s ISPS Handa World Invitational.
"The 19-year-old finished at six-under par to secure a share of 10th, his best finish since turning professional a year ago. It is vital that more of our young players emerge and Tom is currently on track to gain full status for next year’s DP World Tour.
"He has been a standout talent from a young age and while high expectations can be a burden, he has the character and mentality to climb the ladder. His coach Johnny Foster, who has been key to his recent progress, also deserves a lot of credit for the job he is doing with one of our brightest talents.
"McKibbin is up to 15th on the Challenge Tour’s Road to Mallorca rankings, just 14 and 17 places above John Murphy and Ruaidhri McGee who are hot on his heels. The fact all three are chasing the same goal is a real positive for Irish golf – they will push each other on until the end of the season."
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