RORY McILROY has hailed 13-year-old Irish golfer Tom McKibbin as ‘the real deal’ after inviting the youngster to play alongside him later this month.
The Antrim teenager, won the Junior World Championships last year, will partner McIlroy at The K Club in the pro-am pre-tournament warm-up at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open on May 18.
McKibbin has the chance to build on his huge potential by learning from his compatriot McIlroy, and the world number three is excited to be mentoring the talented youngster.
Delight for teen golf sensation Tom McKibbin after invite to tee off with Rory McIlroy at Irish Open pro-am https://t.co/zKgjmGcMzz
— BelTel Sport (@BelTel_Sport) May 3, 2016
“Tom McKibbin is a great talent,” McIlroy said. “I played a round with Tom in Florida recently and he is the real deal. At only 13 years of age, I think he has a remarkable golfing future ahead of him.
“Having seen him play a couple of times now, he impresses me more each time. And I can think of no better place to showcase his talents than at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at the K Club.”
