Tom McKibbin responds to rumours that he’s about to sign for Jon Rahm’s LIV Golf team
Northern Irish sensation Tom McKibbin has responded to rumours that he is about to join Jon Rahm’s LIV Golf team.
McKibbin was one of ten DP World Tour players who earned a PGA Tour card after the season-finale at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.
However, the 22-year-old – dubbed the ‘next Rory McIlroy’ – appears content to snub the chance to head stateside after a bombshell report dropped on Tuesday.
Ten Golf – now supported by the BBC – claimed McKibbin is set to sign for Legion XIII on LIV. Rahm’s team has been looking for a new signing after Kieran Vincent’s relegation back in September.
Tom Mckibbin responds to LIV Golf rumours
Photo by Mateo Villalba/Getty Images
McKibbin is playing this week’s Team Cup in Abu Dhabi, and the Northern Irishman was questioned about the rumours.
“I’m not going to make any comments this week out of respect to Justin and Luke and this tournament,” McKibbin said. “It’s a team event so I am just trying to give my best and see how many points I can get.”
McKibbin played 27 tournaments during the 2024 DP World Tour season and made 23 cuts. The Northern Irishman finished second once and placed in the top ten eight times. His only career win came at the 2023 Porsche European Open in Hamburg, where he earned over $320,000.
“I’m not going to make any comment this week”
Tom McKibbin addresses the reports that he has signed a deal with LIV Golf and Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII team ahead of this week’s Team Cup in Abu Dhabi on the DP World Tour
Tom McKibbin discusses Ryder Cup chances after LIV Golf rumours
Right now, given McKibbin’s comments, a move to Legion feels very much on the cards – and that could have a drastic impact on his Ryder Cup hopes.
More Golf News
Currently, any DP World Tour player who plays in a conflicting LIV Golf event is fined. However, the Wentworth-based authorities allow breakaway league players to maintain membership as long as debts are settled.
To be considered for Luke Donald’s Ryder Cup team, a player must be an active DP World Tour member. If McKibbin does move to LIV, the Northern Irishman continuing to play regularly on the DP World Tour feels likely.
Speaking about his Ryder Cup hopes on Wednesday, McKibbin added: “Yeah, absolutely. You have to play a lot of good golf to get into a Ryder Cup, so it’s something I would definitely like to be a part of in the future. Getting the chance to play this team event here and trying to play the golf I know I can play and go from there.”
McKibbin’s agency also seems to be keeping quiet about the rumours at this stage. The Golfing Gazette reached out for comment yesterday, but no official statement has been made.
