Rory McIlroy advises Tom McKibbin not to change LIV Golf, warns of risks to majors and Ryder Cup | Golf news
Rory McIlroy has warned compatriot Tom McKibbin about the risks of joining the LIV Golf League and believes he would ‘give up a lot’ to join the rival circuit.
McKibbin, who hails from the same Holywood Golf Club in Northern Ireland as McIlroy, is expected to join LIV Golf before the 2025 season despite dual membership on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour for the coming year.
The 22-year-old declined to comment on reports he had joined LIV Golf during the Team Cup, where he helped Great Britain and Ireland to victory in the Ryder Cup-style competition, with McKibbin playing alongside LIV Golf’s Tyrrell Hatton during the opening day.
McIlroy revealed ahead of his Hero Dubai Desert Classic title defense that he had had multiple conversations with McKibbin about a potential change – which would see him unable to use his PGA Tour playing privileges – and admitted it would be disappointing to see him join.
“I really like Tom as a person, as a player,” McIlroy said in his pre-tournament press conference. “I think he has a ton of potential. I told him, if I were you, I’d make a different choice than what you’re going to make.
“I think I’m trying so hard to get yours [PGA] A tour card in the United States, something he did, to achieve that goal last year was a huge achievement.
“What he’s potentially sacrificing and giving up with access to the majors, a potential spot in the Ryder Cup, depending on how he plays … if I were him and had his potential, which I think I was before, I wouldn’t make that decision.
“I’m not him. I’m not in his shoes. He’s a grown man at this point and he can make his own decisions. All I can do is try to give him my point of view. For me personally, it would be a little disappointing if it happened.
“I’ve made it absolutely clear: I’m not going to stand in your way if you need to make a decision that you feel you need to make for yourself. But at the same time, I feel like you’re giving up a lot to not get the real benefit as much.”
McKibbin claimed his first DP World Tour title – in his debut season – at the Porsche European Open in June 2023 and enjoyed a strong finish last season, earning his PGA Tour card via his Race to Dubai ranking position.
“At the end of the day, he’s got to make his own decision, and when he does, however it goes, I’ll always be his fan,” McIlroy added. “I will always try to help him in any way I can.
“Whatever path he chooses, he’s going to live with that, which is totally fine. I think we all see the potential he has, and I definitely think he can be a top 10 player in the world. But obviously his ranking is not going to show that for the next several years if he makes one decision instead of another.”
The world number 114 will join Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII squad and the Spaniard is confident the move can help McKibbin continue his promising start to his professional career.
“I can’t tell you what is a good and bad environment for Tom [McKibbin],” Rahm said ahead of his debut at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. “I think that’s the answer for him. I think so [LIV] is as good an environment as any, really.
“It’s just as competitive as any other tour. You have to go out there and play against some of the best players in the world, so yeah, it’s an environment where you can grow very quickly as well.
“He’s a fantastic player and the possibilities are endless for him whenever he chooses.”
How can I watch the action?
Sky Sports will have extended coverage from all four rounds of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, with featured groups live from 4am each morning Sky Sports Golf and bringing the bonus action before the main action.
Full coverage starts at 7.30am on Thursday and Friday before kicking off from 7am over the weekend, with all four rounds of the American Express PGA Tour and the Latin American Amateur Championship also live on Sky Sports. Stream the DP world tour, major competitions and more from NOW.
