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Jon Rahm believes the “possibilities are endless” for Tom McKibbin – but stopped short of confirming his shock move to LIV Golf. 

It is understood that McKibbin is about to jump ship for the Saudi-backed league, just two months after earning his first PGA Tour card.

The 22-year-old Northern Irishman, who honed his skills on the same Holywood Golf Club as Rory McIlroy, is expected to join Rahm’s Legion XII team ahead of LIV’s season opener next month in Riyadh.

That move has caused quite the stir, given he will now forsake his PGA Tour privileges that he had battled for last season on the DP World Tour.

• Jon Rahm makes Ryder Cup plea over DP World Tour fines

• Padraig Harrington questions Tom McKibbin’s LIV move

Padraig Harrington expressed his concern that the world No.114 will stall his career by moving to LIV, given the difficulty to qualify for majors and the Ryder Cup.

“He’s young and I think he still would have been better off learning to compete and win more in Europe and take a few starts in the States,” Harrington told bunkered.co.uk on Monday.

But speaking ahead of his debut at this week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic – where McKibbin is also in the field – Rahm insisted that the youngster would be able to flourish on LIV.

“I can’t tell you what a good and bad environment is for Tom – I think that’s an answer for him,” he said. “I think it is a good environment as any, really. It’s just as competitive as pretty much any other tour.

“You have to go out there and play against some of the best players in the world, so yeah, it’s an environment in which you can grow very rapidly, as well.

“He’s a fantastic player, and the possibilities for him are endless – whatever he decides to do.”

LIV’s plight without world ranking points means McKibbin, the current No.114, would slide down the ranking system almost immediately without access on the breakaway league.

• Paul McGinley backs pro for Ryder Cup breakthrough

• Justin Rose responds to Tom McKibbin LIV rumours

“I’ve expressed my opinions on the world ranking system before I joined LIV,” Rahm, now world No.31, continued. “But they told us – they told me early on –  even before I signed in the early conversations, that they were not going to pursue those discussions to the same level because they knew where it was directed.

“I think at this point to not give LIV world ranking points and the credibility it deserves, I think is wrong. I understand we’ve all made a decision and it’s not as easy as it sounds but to say that LIV players don’t deserve some spots in major championships, I think is wrong and I hope that evolves into what it should be.

“Joaquin Niemann has done a good enough job for him to earn his way into major championships without invites. Talor Gooch played good enough a few years ago to earn his way into majors without invites. There should be a way for us to qualify.

“The world ranking points need to figure something out because it’s not fair for anybody.”


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Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.

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