Young LIV Golf player, Tom McKibbin, earned high praise from legendary golfer Phil Mickelson during the second round in Hong Kong’s Fanling event. Mickelson, a six-time major winner, is currently tied for the fourth spot and is on the hunt for his first LIV Golf triumph. The leading trio comprises Peter Uihlein, Sergio Garcia, and Paul Casey, all standing at 11 under, with Mito Pereira and Sebastian Munoz trailing three shots behind, sharing the position with Mickelson.
The noticeable improvement in Mickelson’s game is attributed to a recent change in his putter, a move that seems to be paying off for the 54-year-old player. A victory on Sunday could turn this event into one of the year’s most compelling narratives.
In the Saturday round, Mickelson played alongside Legion XIII’s Tom McKibbin, a first-time experience that left the three-time Masters champion thoroughly impressed with the Northern Irishman’s skills. “It was a fun day. I was paired with Tom McKibbin and Charles Howell, and it was my first time playing with Tom. He’s incredibly impressive. He’s a fantastic player, a wonderful person, and a joy to be around. Both of us played well, and it turned out to be a great day,” Mickelson commented with enthusiasm.
His excitement was palpable as he shared, “I’m thoroughly enjoying myself. Our team did well in the final round in Adelaide. Our performance might not have been noticeable, but we moved up, finished fifth, gained some momentum, and have been working hard over the last two weeks. We’ve managed to put in a solid performance in the initial two days, and we’re thrilled about the opportunity tomorrow. We’re having an absolute blast.”
The 22-year-old McKibbin, who managed to score seven under and stay four shots behind the lead after 36 holes of the game, is showing promising signs of a bright LIV Golf career. He’s had an impressive run with a T15 finish in Riyadh and a T7 in Adelaide. It appears to be only a matter of time before he claims a podium finish.
Meanwhile, Jon Rahm and two-time US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau are also on seven under. The latter, known for his powerful hits, scored an eagle and two birdies during the second round. However, the tournament hasn’t been kind to Dustin Johnson, the 4Aces’ captain, who is seven over and out of contention.