Golf
US Open Golf 2024: Tom McKibbin hopes European Open defence helps US Open prep – BBC Sport
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Tom McKibbin hopes his first experience of defending a DP World Tour title this week will help get him into the “mental state of battling it out” ahead of his major championship debut next month.
The Northern Irishman begins his defence of the European Open at Green Eagle Golf Courses in Hamburg on Thursday after capturing his maiden tour victory in style 12 months ago.
The 21-year-old is building up to his major debut at the US Open having secured his place at Pinehurst with a tied sixth finish at the Walton Abbey qualifier earlier this month.
“Pinehurst is obviously a very difficult golf course so really looking forward to it,” McKibbin said.
“This week could actually be a good test for it because here is very, very hard.
“I sort of forgot how hard the course is. It’s a very long golf course, very challenging off the tee, so long and straight is probably a good combo.”
McKibbin carded a three-under 70 to win last year’s European Open by two shots, closing out his victory in impressive fashion with a birdie on the par-five 18th after drawing his approach around a tree and on to the green.
“It was a lot warmer last year and the ball sort of got a bit of run on the fairways,” added world number 147 McKibbin.
“It’s playing a lot longer this year so I think driving will be very, very big again.
“I am very excited just to get over there [to America] to play and to see where my game is at. So this week should sort of get me into that mental state of battling it out.”
‘Win relaxed things up’
McKibbin’s win last year came during his rookie season on the DP World Tour.
Looking back, McKibbin – who is 25th on the DP World Tour’s 2024 season rankings – said he was able to relax knowing that he could compete and deliver at a high level.
“It sort of eased a lot of things up for me, I’ve been able to play a bit more relaxed, maybe a bit more freedom.
“After getting the win I believed I could do it so it relaxed things up and I think I’ve handled it quite well and played quite nicely since.”
McKibbin gets his European Open defence under way at 11:50 BST on Thursday alongside Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard and Germany’s Yannik Paul.
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