Tom McKibbin a Future Star

Rory McIlroy may be one of the stars of world golf, but Northern Irish teenager Tom McKibbin is hoping to following in the world No 3's footsteps.

The 13-year-old has already won the Junior Honda Classic and won the World Junior Championships last August, an event previously won by McIlroy when he was aged nine.

McKibbin has had the opportunity this week to play alongside his idol during the Pro-Am at the Irish Open, hosted by the Rory Foundation, where he showcased his talent in front of a large crowd at the K Club. 

"Tom is obviously a great player," McIlroy told Sky Sports. "The first time I played with him I was really impressed. As a 13 year old, he already had everything."

The Newtownabbey teenager, nicknamed ‘T-Mac’, was invited by four-times Major champion McIlroy to play at the event, which is being hosted by the Rory Foundation.

Speaking before he travelled to the K Club, McKibbin said: “I’ve already played a round of golf with Rory and already learnt so much. I’ll use the day to learn more and have fun at the same time.”

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Master Willett Leads at The K Club

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Danny Willett leads Rory McIlroy by two shots after the first round of the Irish Open after eight birdies and a bogey in a seven-par-under 65 at the K Club.

McIlroy posted a 67 as he bids to improve his recent poor form at his home tournament, which has seen him miss three straight cuts at the event.

Callum Shinkwin and Jaco Van Zyl lie a shot behind McIlroy, with Soren Kjeldsen, Ross Fisher, Martin Kaymer and Brett Rumford three under.

World number three McIlroy, whose Rory Foundation is hosting the tournament, is seeking a first win of the season after six top-10 finishes.

The Northern Irishman recorded three birdies on his front nine, and picked up a further three shots on his inward nine, including a birdie at the 18th.

Willett showed much improved form after missing the cut at last week's Players Championship at Sawgrass, his first appearance since winning the first major of the season at Augusta.

The 28-year-old's round of 65 was only one shot off the course record set by South African Charl Schwartzel in 2003.

Heavy rain greeted the early starters but 2010 champion Fisher defied the difficult conditions to birdie three of the first five holes.

The Englishman's 69 saw him secure the clubhouse lead, along with two-time major winner Kaymer.

Shinkwin and Van Zyl bettered their scores by one, while defending champion Kjeldsen remains well in contention four shots off the lead, the same score as Australian Rumford.

Shane Lowry, who won the title as an amateur in 2009, ended one over, with 2007 champion Padraig Harrington five shots worse off after carding two double-bogeys on his front nine.

Graeme McDowell joined Lowry on one under, with Lee Westwood level par and European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke one over.

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McIlrory Invites McKibbin to Irish Open

Tom McKibbin 

Northern Irish teenager Tom McKibbin has been invited to play alongside Rory McIlroy in the pro-am ahead of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open on 18 May.

McKibbin, 13, took up golf just before his ninth birthday and won the Junior Honda Classic in Florida earlier this year.

In August 2015 he won the World Junior Championships aged 12. McIlroy won the same event at the age of nine.

"Tom McKibbin is a great talent," said McIlroy, whose foundation is hosting the Irish Open for the second year.

"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 Co 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."

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