Tom McKibbin says Rory McIlroy’s guidance played a crucial role in him clinching a first DP World Tour title at the European Open on Sunday.<\/span><\/p>\n McKibbin, 20, hails from the same Holywood club in Northern Ireland where McIlroy learned his golf.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n “I probably wouldn’t be here right now if he hadn’t helped me along the way,” McKibbin told BBC Radio Ulster.<\/span><\/p>\n “He’s been amazing with me. I’ve been very fortunate to spend a lot of time with him and be in his presence.”<\/span><\/p>\n McKibbin revealed that McIlroy had sent him a message of congratulations prior to beginning his own final round at the Memorial Tournament in Ohio, where he eventually finished in a share of seventh place after a disappointing 75.<\/span><\/p>\n “He said ‘well done’, and that he was very proud of me, and that he was watching out there on the TV so that was pretty cool,” he added.<\/span><\/p>\n “I’ve got to play with him a good few times, pick his brain a bit and ask him things. He’s been definitely very helpful to me.”<\/span><\/p>\n McKibbin’s win moved him up 173 positions in the world rankings to 162nd – 159 spots below his fellow Holywood man – and rocketed him to 23rd in the 2023 Race to Dubai standings as he pocketed over \u00a3292,000.<\/span><\/p>\n Victory also ensures McKibbin entry into this season’s lucrative Rolex series events as well as guaranteeing his DP World Tour playing rights for 2024.<\/span><\/p>\n The Northern Irish player clinched victory in hugely impressive style by hitting a glorious second shot at the 72nd hole as his high draw around a tall tree set up a decisive birdie which secured a two-stroke win over France’s Julien Guerrier and German duo Maximilian Kieffer and Marcel Siem.<\/span><\/p>\n Proud father Robin was in Hamburg to witness McKibbin’s victory, with the Northern Ireland dimension to the victory rounded off by Belfast man and veteran caddie Dave McNeely – whose previous bosses have included Sir Nick Faldo, Nick Price and Padraig Harrington – being on the winner’s bag in the northern German city.<\/span><\/p>\n “Dad was here and he was obviously loving it. [It] Took me a good hour and a half to speak to my mum [though]. There was a lot of stuff going on,” said McKibbin on Monday morning, as he was about to board a flight from Hamburg en route to his arrival home later in the day.<\/span><\/p>\n “We got back to the hotel about 8.30pm and just chilled out and had dinner and just talked.”<\/span><\/p>\n McKibbin turned professional in 2021 after being a surprise omission from the Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup team.<\/span><\/p>\n His success-filled boys golf career included winning the Junior Honda Classic as a 12-year-old and he clinched his full tour card in Majorca last November.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"McKibbin](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/176C3\/production\/_129993959_mediaitem129993958.jpg\")
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