Golf

Junior golfer get thumbs up from Rory McIlroy after win

 Generation next: Junior golfer Tom McKibbin (12) at Galgorm Castle last year
 Generation next: Junior golfer Tom McKibbin (12) at Galgorm Castle last year  Generation next: Junior golfer Tom McKibbin (12) at Galgorm Castle last year

Twelve-year-old Tom McKibbin from Northern Ireland has got a social media pat on the back from his golfing idol Rory McIlroy, after he won his age group category at the Junior Honda Classic tournament in Florida.

The talented youngster from Newtownabbey finished on two under par to win by two strokes at Palm Beach Gardens.

Rory McIlroy, who won the main Honda Classic in 2012, sent a message on Twitter, saying: "Well done Tom. Great to see all your hard work paying off."

In August, Tom who is a pupil at Belfast Royal Academy, won the World Kids Championship at Pinehust, North Carolina.