ISPS HANDA World Invitational Preview, Picks & Analysis

ALL eyes will be on Tom McKibbin when he tees it up on home soil for the first time as a DP World Tour winner at the ISPS HANDA World Invitational. It is the first event on the DP World Tour since The Open Championship, so the players are well rested.

The 20-year-old became the youngest winner from the island of Ireland on the DP World Tour since Rory McIlroy when he triumphed at the Porsche European Open, as he produced a display of maturity beyond his years in Hamburg to win by two strokes.

A product of Holywood Golf Club, the same club where McIlroy honed his skills as a junior, McKibbin now represents Galgorm, co-host venue of the tournamentl, and will receive a hero’s welcome when he competes in the innovative event at the Co. Antrim venue and Castlerock Golf Club.  He will also know that a victory here might just bring him into consideration as a wild-card pick for Europe’s Ryder Cup team.

“I’m really looking forward to heading back home to Galgorm next month,” said McKibbin, who finished in a tie for tenth in this event last year. “There is nothing like teeing it up on home soil and playing in front of home crowds.

“Galgorm have been very good to me over the years and it holds a special place in my heart. It makes me extremely proud that this event has been such a trailblazer for innovation over the years, with men and women playing the same courses and now the G4D event taking place at the start of the week. I’m sure it’s going to be another great event.”

The ISPS HANDA World Invitational sees men and women play on the same courses, at the same time, while being co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour, LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour.

Galgorm will again return as host venue, but will this year be joined by the stunning Castlerock Golf Club as every facet of the players’ games are to be tested with the challenge of parkland and links golf.

Each player will play one round at each venue over the first two days, before all the action takes place at Galgorm once the cut falls after 36 holes.

In 2022, Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson picked up his second DP World Tour title in wire-to-wire fashion, while Sweden’s Maja Stark fired a stunning closing round of 63 to win the women’s competition by five strokes as she continued her magnificent ascent up the women’s ranks.

There is also plenty of home interest in the women’s field, with Leona Maguire and local favourite Stephanie Meadow relishing the opportunity to return to Ireland.

The pair will form part of the main attractions within the women’s field at this innovative event.

Maguire, who won her second LPGA Tour title at the Meijer LPGA Classic, is excited to tee it up in front of her home fans for the first time since last year’s KPMG Women’s Irish Open and the 2022 World Invitational.

“I loved playing in this event last year and I can’t wait to return to Galgorm again, as well as Castlerock,” said Maguire.

“It’s been a dream couple of years for me, winning on the LPGA again last month and breaking into the top ten in the world has been incredible. Despite playing away from home the majority of the time, I always feel the support from the Irish fans and I’m really looking forward to playing in front of them again.”

Meadow, who won the inaugural edition of this event in 2019 when it was sanctioned by the European Challenge Tour, secured the largest prize of her career by finishing in a tie for third at the recent KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and is also looking forward to returning home.

“Northern Ireland holds a very special place in my heart and I always enjoy going back to the place which will always be home,” Meadow said, who is Galgorm’s Touring Professional.

“I feel so proud to be a Galgorm ambassador and this was one of the first tournaments I earmarked to play on the schedule. It’s going to be a really special week catching up with family and friends and I know people from all over Ireland are going to come out and watch.”

Tournament Winners

It was won in 2019 by Jack Senior and Stephanie Meadow,  in 2021 by Daniel Gavins and Pajaree Anannarukarn, and in 2022 by Ewen Ferguson and Maja Stark.

The courses

Galgarm Castle is a par 70 measuring 7,276 yards. It is a stunning parkland course, featuring plenty of mature trees, narrow fairways and several water hazards

Castlerock is a links course set among rolling sand dunes. Keep an eye out for the glorious par three fourth hole. It is a par 73 measuring 6,767 yards

Form Guide

This is a big week for Ryder Cup hopefuls such as Victor Perez and Robert MacIntyre, both of whom know that victory here would go a long way towards securing their places in Luke Donald’s team. MacIntyre has shown some good recent form, finishing tied fourth at the Made in Himmerland and second at the Scottish Open

ISPS HANDA World Invitational Picks & Tips

To win (men’s event):

Robert MacIntyre. Huge week for the Scot

Each way:

Victor Perez. One of the best swingers on tour

Each way:

Ewen Ferguson. Another with Ryder Cup aspirations

To win (women’s event):

Maja Stark. Hugely talented Swede

Each way:

Leona Maguire. World-class golfer

Each way:

Stephanie Meadow. Former winner

Ten to Follow

Robert MacIntyre. In great form

Victor Perez. Wonderful short game

Ewen Ferguson. Another exciting Scot

Tom McKibbin. Will want to put on a show for the home fans

Matteo Manassero. The Italian is enjoying a fine season on the Challenge Tour

Leona Maguire. Now a winner on the LPGA Tour

Stephanie Meadow. Fan favourite

Georgia Hall. As steady and consistent as they come

Bronte Law. Looking to recapture her best form 

Christina Kim. Never a dull moment