Tom McKibbin ready for first major at U.S. Open

"I’m a much, much better player now than I was a year ago."

FIRST MAJOR: Tom McKibbin has long endured comparisons to fellow Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy, having followed the world No. 3’s footsteps from his amateur days at Holywood Golf Club into life as a card-carrying touring professional as a teenager. Pic: Jan Kruger/Getty Images

Tom McKibbin has long endured comparisons to fellow Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy, having followed the world No. 3’s footsteps from his amateur days at Holywood Golf Club into life as a card-carrying touring professional as a teenager.

Now a 21-year-old DP World Tour champion, McKibbin finally follows McIlroy onto one of the biggest stages in golf – the U.S. Open. McKibbin makes his major championship debut this week at Pinehurst No. 2.