Tom McKibbin Joins Jon Rahm’s LIV Golf Team

Tom McKibbin the Northern Ireland golfer plans to join Jon Rahm’s LIV Golf team, Legion XIII, in a lucrative multi-year deal. This surprise move follows McKibbin’s recent achievement of earning a PGA Tour card by finishing among the top 10 players without a card in the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai. The 22-year-old has chosen to forgo his debut PGA Tour season to claim the final spot on the four-player LIV Golf team which includes Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton and Caleb Surratt.

When questioned during the Team Cup event in Abu Dhabi, McKibbin declined to confirm the move. He cited respect for his Team GB&I captain Justin Rose and Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, emphasizing his focus on helping his team in the ongoing competition. If the move proceeds, McKibbin will become the second Northern Irish player to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf following 2010 US Open winner Graeme McDowell.

The LIV Golf season kicks off in Riyadh on February 6. Since turning professional in April 2021, Tom McKibbin has achieved notable success, winning the Porsche European Open in 2023 and qualifying for this year’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush. Despite his rising profile and achievements, McKibbin appears to favor the opportunity to compete against LIV stars like Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka.

McKibbin’s decision to join LIV Golf marks a significant moment in his career. After securing a PGA Tour card, he had prepared to join compatriot Rory McIlroy and others in the United States with hopes of making his Ryder Cup debut. However, this move raises questions about the impact on those plans and underscores the breakaway tour’s growing influence. McKibbin plans to compete next in Abu Dhabi and the DP World Tour’s Dubai Desert Classic.