Tom McKibbin

It was announced on Wednesday that he will join former world number one Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII LIV Golf team which also includes England’s recent Dubai Desert Classic winner Tyrrell Hatton.The 22-year-old is regarded as one of the game’s finest young prospects having already become a winner on the DP World Tour and performing well enough to earn PGA Tour rights for this year.Those talks have yet to bear fruit, but McKibbin may be gambling that a resolution could be reached soon which would extend his playing options beyond the breakaway tour.By Iain Carter, BBC golf correspondentMcIlroy added that he would continue to be a “fan” of the 22-year-old and “help him in whatever way I can”.News of McKibbin’s impending move to the Saudi-funded circuit emerged in early January and he refused to discuss the issue at his subsequent two events, but his widely anticipated decision has now been confirmed.Those include current US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, plus Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith and Sergio Garcia.McKibbin turned professional in April 2021 and won his first DP World Tour event in June 2023 at the Porsche European Open in Germany. He also lost in a play-off at last year’s Italian Open.

The circuit’s first event of the season starts in Riyadh on 6 February.The Holywood golfer has qualified for this year’s Open Championship, which will be held at Royal Portrush.His decision could jeopardise his prospects of securing a Ryder Cup debut this season, even though he was part of the Great Britain & Ireland team at the recent Team Cup in Abu Dhabi which Europe skipper Luke Donald used to look at player options for the biennial match against USA.Many believe the lucrative LIV tour, with its cut-free tournaments and guaranteed prize money, is not an environment that brings the best out of its players.The PGA Tour’s protracted negotiations with LIV’s backers, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), are aimed at healing the split in world golf.McIlroy does not think the move to LIV is “worth the sacrifice” of missing out on testing himself against the world’s best on the US circuit.McKibbin is 106th in the world rankings, which is nine spots short of the highest position he has held.With LIV events not carrying world rankings points, Rahm has slipped down the rankings to 34th place. McKibbin is also likely to fall away, given he will be unable to play on the PGA Tour and with his appearances on the DP World Tour likely to be occasional.It means he has opted to forgo the PGA Tour card he secured in November and has gone against the advice of compatriot Rory McIlroy, who has been a mentor to the 22-year-old.

This is a move that has surprised many observers, including Rory McIlroy – who has served as a mentor throughout McKibbin’s fledgling career.Moving to a tour that does not carry world ranking points will not help McKibbin’s quest for a Ryder Cup debut this September or provide a route into the majors, although McKibbin has already qualified for the 2025 Open at Royal Portrush.McKibbin becomes the second player from Northern Ireland to make the switch to LIV Golf, with 2010 US Open winner Graeme McDowell already part of a circuit that has several other major winners.Like Hatton and Jon Rahm are doing, McKibbin can appeal those punishments and remain a member until a hearing takes place.He will be suspended from the PGA Tour but can remain a member of the DP World Tour provided he pays fines and serves suspensions for playing LIV events when formal DPWT releases are refused.”If I were in his position, which I think I have been before, and had his potential I wouldn’t make that decision,” McIlroy said.”But I’m not him. I’m not in his shoes. He’s a grown man at this point and can make his own decisions.”But some of the Saudi-funded stars have prospered, most notably Tyrrell Hatton – the recent winner of the Dubai Desert Classic.Speaking two weeks ago, former world number one McIlroy said he would find it “a little disappointing” if McKibbin did move to LIV.