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Tom McKibbin overlooked Rory McIlroy’s guidance and joined the LIV Golf League because of the “opportunity to learn from some of the best players in the world.”
McKibbin, 22, was advised by McIlroy to reject LIV’s advances after phoning his mentor and close friend to discuss his offer from the breakaway league when the four-time major champion was on holiday in New Zealand.
“As soon as he got the offer, he rang me,” McIlroy revealed at last month’s Dubai Desert Classic.
“Working so hard to get your Tour card in the States, something that he did, to achieve that goal last year was a big achievement. But if I were in his position and I had his potential, which I think I have been before, I wouldn’t make that decision.”
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McKibbin, who grew up playing on the same Holywood Golf Club as McIlroy, has instead forsaken his chance to use the PGA Tour card he earned back in November to join Jon Rahm’s Legion XII quartet for the 2025 season.
Ahead of his LIV debut at this week’s season-opener in Riyadh under the lights. McKibbin was asked specifically about McIlroy’s suggestion that the move was not worth the sacrifice of majors and possible damage to his Ryder Cup prospects.
“It was definitely in my mind but to me I wasn’t in any of those anyway,” McKibbin said.
“The opportunity to play with these guys out here more often and more consistently was definitely a huge factor. I’m not in those majors anyway at the minute so that really didn’t bother me too much.”
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McKibbin has already qualified for his home Open Championship at Royal Portrush, but has not secured entry into the other three majors. He has also maintained his DP World Tour membership, but will only be able to play on that circuit sporadically owing to his new LIV commitments.
When asked what appealed about the LIV move, McKibbin added: “It was a decision that I made, but being young and 22 I’ve watched this last couple years since it started. It’s something I really like to watch. Something very different. It appeals to more people my age.
“The opportunity to learn from some of the best players in the world week in, week out is something that appealed very nicely to me. I liked the whole concept of everything.”
McKibbin, meanwhile, represents a significant coup for Rahm’s LIV team. The world No.109 won for the first time on the DP World Tour last season and is being tipped for a bright future.
“It’s been amazing to get Tom as an addition,” Rahm said. “To get such a young player with his experience, already established. A winner as a professional multiple times. It’s hard to come by. I’m delighted he’s decided to join the team. He’s very talented and the sky’s the limit.”
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