Jon Rahm could be joined by 22-year-old Tom McKibbin – a compatriot and peer of Rory McIlroy – on his LIV Golf outfit. Northern Irishman McKibbin first caught eyes in the summer of 2023 when tasting victory on the DP World Tour in Hamburg.
Furthermore, he saw his potential realised in November when he claimed a PGA Tour card for the 2025 season, and he looked set to join his compatriot and mentor.
However, it now appears that the youngster could go against the best wishes of McIlroy, whose disliking of LIV has eased since his initial ‘hatred’ became clear, by joining forces with another of Europe’s Ryder Cup giants in Rahm.
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According to TenGolf, the 22-year-old world No.110 is strongly rumoured to join the Spaniard’s Legion XIII team. Other members of the outfit include Tyrell Hatton and Caleb Surratt. Reports suggest that Rahm himself was coaxed into leaving the PGA Tour behind in 2024 for a lucrative £385million contract – the largest in the upstart competition’s history.
This drew a great deal of criticism from a divided golfing world, including from McIlroy, who ‘hoped the competition would go away’ when first tackling the subject in 2022. Yet, now, it seems as though a youngster, who has blossomed next to his countryman McIlroy, could be jumping ship for the rival platform.
“I've known Tom since he was 10 years old,” McIlroy stated in 2023, reeling in McKibbin’s European Open win. “And to see his progression and see where he is today and get that first win in Europe is, was really cool to see.
“Yeah, look, he’s been, we’ve all known from back home the potential that he has, but I think to break through and win for the first time at 20 years old is, there’s a bright future ahead of him.”
The duo, who are clubmates at Holywood GC, evidently share a special bond, with McIlroy impressed with McKibbin while being credited with helping the young star hone his skills.
"When I was walking off the last, I didn't see his name and I see him before I signed my card and he was congratulating me, and I didn't want to ask -- I said, 'Yay or nay?' And he said, 'Yes,’” McIlroy added in 2024, also excited by McKibbin securing his PGA future.
“I'm happy for him. That was a massive goal for him was to get one of those ten cards and go play in America. Super happy for him."
However, despite the 22-year-old admitting he was “excited” to get over to the US and play on the tour, is now likely to leave that, and McIlroy, behind for the lucrative LIV. Should McKibbin make this expected switch, he’ll first be in action when the LIV Golf season commences on February 6 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
