Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin, one of golf’s brightest young talents, is at the centre of speculation surrounding a possible move to LIV Golf, the controversial Saudi Arabia PIF-backed league. According to reports from Spanish outlet Ten Golf, two-time Major champion Jon Rahm is keen to recruit the 22-year-old for his Legion XIII team ahead of the upcoming LIV Golf season.
The news comes just months after McKibbin secured his full PGA Tour card via the DP World Tour, claiming the 10th and final spot on the pathway to the US circuit. This potential switch has ignited intrigue and debate, especially given McKibbin’s close ties with Rory McIlroy, a vocal critic of LIV Golf and a staunch supporter of traditional tours.
McKibbin’s Connection to Rory McIlroy
Both McKibbin and McIlroy hail from Holywood Golf Club in County Down, and McIlroy has long been an advocate for the PGA and DP World Tours, fiercely opposing LIV Golf’s disruption of the sport. If McKibbin makes the move, it would signal a surprising divergence from his mentor’s path.
Why LIV Golf Wants McKibbin
Jon Rahm, who made headlines himself by joining LIV Golf, is reportedly eager to fill a vacancy on his team after Kieran Vincent’s relegation. McKibbin would join a lineup that includes England’s Tyrrell Hatton and American Caleb Surratt. The timing is significant, as McKibbin is currently playing alongside Hatton in the DP World Tour-organised Team Cup in Abu Dhabi.
McKibbin’s Rapid Rise in Golf
Since turning professional as a teenager, McKibbin has enjoyed a meteoric rise. In 2023, his rookie season, he claimed victory at the Porsche European Open and finished 18th on the Race to Dubai rankings. His performance earned him a full PGA Tour card, marking him as one of the sport’s most promising prospects.
When McKibbin secured his PGA Tour card, he reflected on the achievement, saying:
“It would be pretty amazing to get over there and play some golf … I seem to play [well] on the harder courses and I think that suits my game a little more.”
LIV Golf vs. PGA Tour: What’s Next for McKibbin?
McKibbin’s potential move to LIV Golf would represent a major coup for Rahm’s team and the league itself. However, it also risks deepening the rift in men’s professional golf, where players like McIlroy have taken a stand against LIV’s influence.
As McKibbin prepares to compete in next week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic – where McIlroy is the defending champion – all eyes will be on the young star. Will he follow his PGA Tour ambitions or take the lucrative LIV Golf offer?
