Tom McKibbin, a young golfer from Northern Ireland, has chosen to sidestep the guidance of his mentor Rory McIlroy and has opted to forfeit his PGA Tour card to join the LIV Golf series backed by Saudi funding.
At only 22 years of age, McKibbin recently celebrated a significant victory by winning his first European Tour event in 2023.
He has secured a position with the Legions 13 team, which includes renowned player Jon Rahm, as LIV Golf prepares to launch its season next week in Saudi Arabia.
Rahm took to social media to confirm McKibbin’s signing with an announcement on Instagram.

Growing up on the same golf course as McIlroy, McKibbin achieved a remarkable feat this year by finishing as the 10th and final player on the DP World Tour points list, which qualified him for a PGA Tour card.
Earlier this month, during the Dubai Desert Classic, McIlroy expressed his thoughts on McKibbin’s decision, stating, “If I were in your shoes, I would make a different choice than the one you’re making.”
He emphasized that working hard to earn a tour card in the United States was a significant accomplishment, and noted the risks involved in sacrificing opportunities such as access to major tournaments and a potential Ryder Cup selection.

Ranked No. 106 in the world, McKibbin will now join a team with notable players like Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, and Caleb Surratt.
Earlier this year, he also represented Britain and Ireland in the Team Cup, a series of unofficial matches aimed at evaluating potential candidates for the Ryder Cup.
Although he remains a member of the European Tour, McKibbin’s opportunities to accumulate points are diminished, and he will now only have eligibility for the British Open moving forward.