RORY McILROY has invited a 13-year-old boy tipped to follow him to the top of world golf to play alongside him in the Irish Open.
Morthern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin took up the sport just before his ninth birthday and won the Junior Honda Classic in Florida earlier this year.
In August last year he won the World Junior Championship, an event four-time Major champion McIlroy won at the age of nine.
Now the third-ranked player in the world will tee off alongside McKibbin in the home-soil tournament he hosts in two weeks’ time.
McIlroy said: “Tom McKibbin is a great talent. 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.”
McKibbin, who is from County Antrim, said: “I met Rory while I was in Dubai last October and we got chatting while we were both practising.
“When I won the Honda Classic in Florida in January, Rory sent me a message and invited me to play golf with him.
“I have to thank Rory for inviting me to play in the pro-am at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. Not only do I get a day off school, but I get to play alongside one of the best golfers in the world!
“It’s getting close now and I’m pretty excited. I’ve been practising as often as possible.”
The pair are already good mates and McKibbin was invited to watch McIlroy between the ropes at the WGC Dell Match Play in March.
Then, defending champion McIlroy finished in fourth place following his semi-final one hole loss to eventual winner Jason Day.
The Northern Irishman will mark his competitive return since finishing in a tie for tenth at the Masters at this week’s Wells Fargo Championship.
McIlroy won at the famed Quail Hollow course last year and will then head to Florida for ther Players Championship before travelling to Co Kildare for his Irish Open.
Also confirmed to be taking part is One Direction star Niall Horan, AP McCoy and ex-Arsenal and Spurs star Pat Jennings.
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