McKibbin picks up Irish player of the year award

Tom McKibbin has won the award for a second straight year

Tom McKibbin has been named men's Professional of the Year by the Irish Golf Writers' Association for the second year running.

The 22-year-old from Co Antrim enjoyed another memorable year in just his second season on the DP World Tour, finishing 18th in the Race to Dubai to clinch one of 10 dual memberships of the PGA Tour for 2025.

McKibbin became only the 16th Irishman to break into the top 100 in the world rankings when he finished runner-up after a playoff in June's Italian Open.

It was one of nine top-10 finishes recorded by McKibbin, who made his major debut in the US Open at Pinehurst No. 2 and also qualified for the Open at Royal Troon, making both cuts.

Co Kildare's Lauren Walsh was named women's Professional of the Year as she marked her rookie season by finishing 18th in the Order of Merit on the Ladies European Tour.

A product of Castlewarden Golf Club, the 24-year-old Wake Forest University graduate recorded 12 top-25 finishes, including four top-10s.

She was third to Leona Maguire in the Aramco Team Series-London, third in the VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open, fourth in the Jabra Ladies Open and eighth in the Amundi German Masters.

She went on to qualify for the final stage of the LPGA Q-Series, securing status on the LPGA's second-tier Epson Tour for 2025.