Tom McKibbin earned his spot at next year's Masters Tournament and The 154th Open with a dominant victory at the Link Hong Kong Open.
The 22-year-old completed a wire-to-wire victory at Hong Kong Golf Club on Sunday, finishing seven shots clear of American Peter Uihlein on 27-under-par.
Having opened with a stunning 10-under-par round of 60, the Northern Irishman added further rounds of 65, 65 and 63 to win his second professional victory after the European Open in Germany on the DP World Tour in 2023.
His victory in the Asian Tour event means he will make his Masters debut at Augusta National in April.
Having already competed in The Open in 2024 (T66) and 2025 (CUT), McKibbin is also set to play at Royal Birkdale next summer.
The Hong Kong Open was the third event of the Open Qualifying Series, following the Open de Espana presented by Madrid and the Japan Open Golf Championship.
In a joint announcement by Augusta National and The R&A earlier this year, the orgainsations confirmed champions at the Genesis Scottish Open, Open de España presented by Madrid, ISPS HANDA Australian Open and Investec South African Open Championship will earn entry to the two Major Championships, in addition to the winners of the Japan Open and Hong Kong Open.
The move builds on The Open Qualifying Series, which has been in operation since 2013. Beginning later this year players can qualify for The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale through 15 events in 13 countries.
McKibbin is the latest player to have benefited from this addition, joining Chris Gotterup (Genesis Scottish Open), Marco Penge (Open de de España presented by Madrid) and Naoyuki Kataoka (Japan Open).
The next event to earn a place in both The Open and Masters Tournament fields is the ISPS HANDA Australian Open - co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour of Australasia, which takes place from 4-7 December at Royal Melbourne.
The 2026 Masters will be the 90th playing of the Masters Tournament and is scheduled for April 6 – 12. The 154th Open is scheduled for July 12 – 19 at Royal Birkdale.
