Tom McKibbin

Like Rory McIlroy, McKibbin hails from the Holywood club near his home in Belfast. He tied for 41st on his major debut at this season’s US Open and now makes his first Open appearance thanks to a runner-up finish on June 30 at the Italian Open, where two Royal Troon places were on offer as part of the Qualifying Series.

It was so nearly the 21-year-old’s second victory on the DP World Tour. After a sparkling closing 65 – the best round of the day by two – he led by one before German Marcel Siem birdied the 18th and then did it again at the first hole of their sudden death play-off.

McKibbin’s maiden win came at last year’s Porsche European Open by two strokes from a three-strong group that included Siem.

He went into that event 335th on the world rankings, but came out of it 162nd and has made further progress since, posting six top-10 finishes this season and moving into the top 10 on the Race to Dubai standings.