Rory McIlroy has handed 13-year-old Tom McKibbon an extraordinary opportunity by inviting him to play the pro-am ahead of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open on 18 May.
McIlroy says McKibbon has "a remarkable golfing future ahead of him. Having seen him play a couple of times now, he impresses me more each time."
McKibbon, who hails from County Antrim, won the World Junior Championships in 2015 and also won the Junior Honda Classic in Florida earlier this year.
The teenager, who is excited about the prospect of getting time of school said, "Not only do I get a day off school, but I get to play alongside one of the best golfers in the world, I'm pretty excited. I've been practising as often as possible."
He also explained how McIlroy's invitation came about, "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."
The Irish Open takes place in the K Club in Straffan, Co.Kildare from the 19th to the 22nd of May.
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