Tom McKibben in Singapore, February 2023 (Getty Images)Holywood’s McKibbin produces best Irish finish of the week, McIlroy falls off No. 1
Holywood’s favourite son couldn’t quite bring it home and neither could his protege but they have endured tougher days.
Rory McIlroy lost his World No. 1 ranking, for the first time since October, to Scottie Scheffler after an underwhelming four-under-par and a joint 32nd at the $20 million WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on Sunday (February 12).
Scheffler regained the top position after carding 65 in the final round, two shots off the second-placed Nick Taylor of Canada and five off his ranking rival, John Rahm to end the week with 19-under. In doing so, he successfully defended his title and brought up his fifth PGA tour win.
McIlroy needed to finish third or better to retain his No. 1 spot but it was always going to be a tall order when he started the final round with three-under, ten shots behind Scheffler.
With Taylor and Rahm hot on his heels, Scheffler made an eagle on par-five 13th and four birdies to stave off any threats.
This year’s Phoenix Open was McIlroy’s only second time at the event after debuting in 2021.
“Yeah, I get the chance to win 3.6 million dollars”, the Northern Irishman joked, after finishing the first day with a two-over-par 73, when asked about the benefits of choosing to play at the event.
“I wouldn’t say this is a golf course that sets up terribly well for me. I struggle off the tee and the fairway bunkers are in my landing zones. But it’s a challenge and I am trying to embrace it. It’s not an event I historically play but I am a good enough player to figure it out, contend and win on any golf course.”
Elsewhere, 9000 miles apart, Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin had to settle for a tied 12th finish at the $2 million DP World Tour’s Singapore Classic after making a one-under-par 71 on the final day.
South African Ockie Strydom fired an impressive last round nine-under-par 63 to take the title.
Despite producing his best finish at a DP World Tour event since the ISPS Handa World Invitational in Co. Antrim last August, where he finished 10th, McKibbin would be rueing the opportunity to not capitalise on his strong start on day one when his opening 64 gave him a one-shot lead. At the end of day two, he was the joint leader alongside China’s Wenyi Ding.
During the third round, McKibbin continued his stellar start with four birdies in five holes but hit five bogeys to lose the lead and head into the final round with two shots off the pace.
“Everything started off great and then it got rusty in the middle. It had a bit of everything,” McKibbin said.
“It was a bit annoying (to not capitalise on the strong start) but these things are going to happen. You just have to accept it and move on.”
But in not dropping a single shot on day one in Singapore, McKibbin showed his class that belied his experience. Despite being 20, he has played enough golf to understand the ups and downs of the sport. The finish, though disappointing but encouraging, was the latest chapter in his rapid rise.
Touted as the next golfing sensation to come from Holywood, after Rory McIlroy, McKibbin has had a whirlwind last few months. After producing three top 20 finishes in the DP World Tour, He finished 18th at the Joburg Open in November last year and followed it with a 15th position finish at the South African Open Championship. A week later at the Alfred Dunhill Championship, he bettered the tally by finishing 13th.
He didn’t enjoy the best of starts to his 2023 season after failing to make the cut at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the Dubai Desert Classic last month, which McIlroy won after a final day showdown with rival Patrick Reed.
"Life's pretty nice if you're playing well; it's different if you're not. I'm enjoying it. I've played enough of these events that it feels normal to me now, but it's great fun,” said the former Irish amateur International who jumped 14 places up to be ranked 60th in the Race to Dubai.
"I'm getting pretty comfortable. It's natural to me to come here and play now. It's been good so far. Hopefully I'll continue like that the rest of the year."
McKibbin’s 12th position, and an overall 13-under-par, was the best Irish finish of the week.
Also at the Phoenix Open, west Waterford man Seamus Power finished joint-20th with a seven-under-par.
McIlroy is next in action at the Genesis Invitational which begins on February 16 at the Riviera Country Club alongside Seamus Power and Shane Lowry. The tournament will be headlined by the return of Tigers Woods, who is set to play after seven months on the sidelines due to leg injuries.
