Tom McKibbin is set to become the latest player to join LIV Golf, just weeks after earning his PGA Tour card along with Rory McIlroy.
McKibbin has established himself as one of Europe’s top players in recent years and received one of ten PGA Tour cards available to top players on the 2024 DP World Tour. It appears he is not going to take advantage of his achievement though, with Ten Golf reporting he is close to making the Saudi switch.
The Spanish outlet claims that McKibbin is a top target of the league\’s 2025 individual champion Jon Rahm, who is looking to complete his Legion XIII roster after losing Kieran Vincent in 2024. It comes after LIV sources confirmed to Mirror Sport last month that one of the 10 players who secured a place on the PGA Tour at the DP World Tour Championship in November had approached the breakaway league about joining. McKibbin’s decision would come as a shock to many, including McIlroy.
McKibbin has been hailed as “the next McIlroy” during his recent rise, with the 22-year-old playing at Hollywood Golf Club in much the same way as the four-time major winner, and McIlroy praised his compatriot for his remarkable rise, which has included winning the 2023 European Open.
McKibbin earned his spot on the PGA Tour at the DP World Tour Finals, where McIlroy claimed his sixth victory in the Race to Dubai on the Earth Course.
Moments after being crowned tour champion again, the 35-year-old spotted McKibbin and quickly asked him if he had done enough to earn his card. After delivering the good news, the youngster received a big hug from McIlroy in a special moment for the pair.
Over the moon for his fellow Hollywood GC player, McIlroy said in November: “I was looking at the leaderboard and I saw Tom was in the top 10 and I was like, OK, OK.
\ “When I was walking last, I didn’t see his name, I didn’t see him before signing my card, and he was blessing me, and I asked I didn’t want -I said, \ ‘yay or he said, \’ yes. I’m very pleased for him.”
McKibbin may not get his chance, with the PGA Tour banning any player who makes the LIV switch. The Northern Irishman will be alongside one of the Legion XIII members on the DP World Tour this week, with McKibbin teaming up with Tyrrell Hatton for GB&Ireland in the Team Cup this week.
The pair will also take part in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in a week’s time, while Legion XIII captain Ram will also be involved in the build-up to the LIV season opener in Riyadh on February 6.
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