McKibbin stays in front in Hong Kong to keep Masters dream alive

Second round of the Hong Kong Open

-15 T McKibbin (NI), -13 K Aphibarnrat (Tha), J Janewattananond (Tha), P Uihlein (US), -12 C Howell (US), L Oosthuizen (SA), T Pieters (Bel).

Selected others: -9 S Horsfield (Eng), -6 P Reed (US), P Casey (Eng), T Gooch (US), -4 G McDowell (NI).

Tom McKibbin’s impressive effort to advance to the next Masters and Open Championship was matched up with a second-round 65 to take the Hong Kong Open by two shots at halfway.

The Northern Irishman won the Asian Tour tournament at Fanling with a course record of 60.

His five-under-par bogey-free round kept him two shots clear of American Peter Uihlein and Thailand duo Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Jazz Janewattananond, who were both struggling on Friday.

McKibbin, who signed with LIV Golf earlier this year, put together his second round with two birdies in his first three holes.

At the halfway point, the 22-year-old is 15 under after three more birdies in a row from the 12th.

The top-placed non-exempt player who makes the cut will be entered for the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale in July, while the winner of the competition will advance to the 2026 Masters.

McKibbin did not make the cut at the Royal Portrush Open in July because he has never played at Augusta National.