Tom McKibbin believes he is reaping the rewards of the hard work he put into his game ahead of the season-ending DP World Tour Play-Offs as he boosted his bid to claim a PGA TOUR card.
The Northern Irishman has been a picture of consistency during the 2024 DP World Tour campaign, registering his ninth top ten at last week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship following a short break from action after the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters.
Now, making his second start at the DP World Tour Championship, McKibbin climbed into contention in Dubai with a five-under 67 in the third round at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
That has moved the 21-year-old into a share of seventh place at the Rolex Series event and 15th on the projected Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership which would be good enough to earn him one of the ten PGA TOUR cards on offer for those not already exempt.
Over his last seven rounds, he has made 38 birdies and two eagles and McKibbin is hoping he can finish his season off with a flourish on Sunday.
Asked to assess the reason for his fine play under pressure over the closing two weeks of the campaign, he said: “I think sort of the hard work I put in on those two weeks off after Sotogrande, trying to get ready for these two events, and trying to dial in the numbers and be a little bit more aggressive.
“I think it's paid off quite nicely.”
With players met by breezier conditions over the Earth course on Saturday, only 54-hole co-leader Rasmus Højgaard bettered McKibbin’s third-round total.
"I controlled the ball," he reflected. "It was quite windy out there today. So trying to keep it on the short grass, which I did a pretty good job of today made life a little bit easier."
And while there is the chance to become a two-time DP World Tour winner on Sunday and further his career progression by gaining status on both sides of the Atlantic, McKibbin is pleased with how he has approached the task.
“I knew coming into these last two events that I would have to play really well to get one because the points are so stacked,” he said.
“There's a lot of points available. It's so easy for people to jump all over the place.
“So, I think I was focusing on these two events, big events, and trying to do the best I could.”
