Tom McKibbin held off a German challenge with a 3-under 70 to win the Porsche European Open in his debut season on the DP World Tour on Sunday.
The 20-year-old from Northern Ireland started the final round as one of six players tied for the lead and went on to win by two shots.
Marcel Siem (71) and Maximilian Kieffer (70), who were both bidding to become the first German in 15 years to win a tour event on home soil, shared second place, along with French player Julien Guerrier (72).
McKibbin built a two-shot lead after the front nine but bogeys on Nos. 11 and 13 left him briefly tied with Siem and Kieffer before he recovered with a birdie on the 15th. Instead of playing it safe, McKibbin took a risk with his second shot on the 18th, playing a draw around a tree to hit the ball close to the pin for the eagle attempt.
McKibbin, who earned his card for 2023 after graduating from the European Challenge Tour joins Holywood Golf Club coursemate Rory McIlroy as a winner on the 2023 Race to Dubai after the four-time Major Champion’s triumph at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in January.
