The Open 2025: Playing major at Royal Portrush will be ‘special’ says Tom McKibbin

Tom McKibbin expects that competing in the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush will be something he will remember for the rest of his life.

The 22-year-old from Northern Ireland was in the field last year at Royal Troon, as well as for the US Open in 2024 and US PGA last month, but feels playing a major so close to home will be a different experience.

“I’ve played here however many hundreds of times, it’s somewhere I’ve come up and played since I was 10-years-old,” he said of Royal Portrush.

“To play a major championship on this golf course is going to be pretty special, the biggest event I’ll ever have played in under that pressure and atmosphere.”

McKibbin was not present when the course last staged the championship and Shane Lowry was the winner of the Claret Jug in 2019.

“It’s something not many people get to say, that they’ve played an Open in their home country,” he added.

“To play it here on one of the best courses in the world, it’s going to be pretty special. 

“To be here and be playing will be something that I’ll probably remember forever.”