In Early November 2025, Tom produced one of the most dominant performances of his professional career to win the Hong Kong Open, a victory that secured his qualification for both the 2026 Masters Tournament and The Open Championship.
Tom set the tone for the week with a sensational opening round of 10-under-par 60, an official course record that immediately established him as the player to beat. He followed that fast start with two rounds of 65 to maintain his lead heading into the final day, where he held a slender one-shot advantage. Despite the pressure, he delivered again on Sunday, carding a superb seven-under-par 63 that saw him pull away decisively from the field.
Leading the tournament wire-to-wire is possibly the hardest way to claim victory with the pressure only easing on Tom towards the end of the final round at Hong Kong Golf Club. In the end he finished seven shots clear of his nearest challenger, American Peter Uihlein, with a 27-under-par total.
The final round showcased Tom’s consistency and attacking flair with birdies at two of the opening three holes and another at the par-three eighth to turn with a two-shot lead. He then accelerated dramatically on the back nine, with five birdies in a seven-hole stretch, with his only blemish of the round coming at the final hole, a bogey that was just his third of the entire week.
This victory is Tom’s third professional win and his second on a major international stage, following his breakthrough triumph at the Porsche European Open on the DP World Tour in Germany in 2023. Notably, the Hong Kong Open was his maiden appearance on the Asian Tour, making the achievement even more impressive. His 27-under-par total was the lowest winning score in the tournament’s 66-year history, bettering the previous record by five shots, while his seven-shot margin of victory matched the largest ever recorded at the event.
The Hong Kong Open formed part of the Open Qualifying Series, a group of prestigious tournaments that offer direct qualification to The Open Championship. In 2025, it was also one of a select number of global national opens granting winners’ a place in the Masters field.
As a result, Tom will make his long-awaited debut at Augusta National in April 2026, fulfilling a childhood dream. He has already competed in The Open twice and will now return for a third appearance at Royal Birkdale next summer. Speaking after his round, Tom was understandably elated.
“It was obviously amazing. I played some of the best golf I've probably ever played. It was a little strange building that big lead coming in, a little bit of a weird feeling but I just tried to take advantage of those holes that were birdie chances, par-5s and wedge opportunities. It was nice to take advantage of those and stretch out the lead. I’m very excited to go back and play my third Open, it'll be very cool, and to have that drive down Magnolia Lane for my first Masters will be very special indeed."
Still only 23, Tom’s performance in Hong Kong represented a major milestone in his career, combining record-setting scoring, composure under pressure and tangible rewards in the form of major championship qualification. It was a week that confirmed his potential and signalled his arrival as a serious contender on the global stage. It’s one that he, and everyone at Abbotswood, will remember forever.