Tom McKibbin admitted he threw caution into the strong Northern Irish wind as he battled to make the cut on home soil at the ISPS HANDA World Invitational presented by AVIV Clinics.
The 20-year-old has a big following in Galgorm, but he was fearing the worst after he shot an eight-over 78 on Friday and looked set to miss the cut.
With some of his adoring fans wearing 'I know Tom McKibbon's da' hots in the blustery conditions, the recent DP World Tour winner produced the round of the second day with a stunning 65 to make the the weekend.
McKibbin, who won the Porsche European Open in June, reeled off a hat-trick of birdies from the 11th before his only dropped shot at 14th was sandwiched by another pair of gains at the 15th and 16th to reach the turn in 32.
"A lot of people came to support me. It's nice to have on a day where I was grinding to make the cut." 💪#WorldInvitational | @tommckibbin8 https://t.co/3EYJw1SAyt pic.twitter.com/IuiJLFgakR
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) August 18, 2023
He picked up further shots at the second and sixth to climb into a share of 39th at the halfway point of the tournament, something which looked unlikely at the start of the day.
"I saw them [his fans] this morning. My dad showed me a picture of them. It's nice to have some support like this," McKibbin said.
"A lot of people came out and supported me today, which was the same as yesterday. Nice to have that out there today. And I was sort of grinding to make the cut.
"I think I just went out there today and tried to go for everything. I mean, I was down near last so it couldn't get any worse, really. So I just sort of went for everything, went for every par four that was reachable and went for all the par fives. And luckily it just paid off.
"I definitely didn't fancy a bit of links, but I've practiced enough the last couple of weeks in the wind. It's been quite windy here. I've been hitting the ball nicely enough. So to go out there today and play like I was, was really nice.
"I'm looking forward to it a lot. I think yesterday I learned loads about a course that I've played loads. It's very difficult in the wind, especially the way the rough is set up. I think I'll go out there tomorrow, try and do a few things better than I did yesterday and should be a nice weekend."
