Rory McIlroy has expressed his concerns about the decision of fellow Northern Irish golfer Tom McKibbin to potentially join LIV Golf, a move that McIlroy believes could involve significant sacrifices. McIlroy, who has been a mentor to McKibbin, made it clear that he does not think the switch to the Saudi-backed circuit would be worth the trade-offs McKibbin might face, particularly in terms of access to prestigious events like the majors and potential Ryder Cup appearances.
McKibbin, a 22-year-old golfer who has shown great promise, achieved a major milestone in November 2024 by securing his PGA Tour card for 2025. However, instead of embracing the opportunity to compete on the PGA Tour, McKibbin appears set to join LIV Golf, reportedly receiving an offer worth $5 million along with further annual guarantees. This lucrative deal, while substantial, pales in comparison to the massive sums offered to some of the other players who have made the switch to LIV.
According to McIlroy, McKibbin reached out to him as soon as he received the LIV offer, seeking advice. McIlroy has spoken with McKibbin multiple times since then, attempting to understand his thoughts and provide guidance. McIlroy emphasized that, had he been in McKibbin’s shoes, he would have made a different decision. The opportunity to compete on the PGA Tour, something McKibbin worked hard to achieve, is a significant achievement, and McIlroy believes that leaving this behind for LIV could come with considerable costs, particularly in terms of major tournament access and a potential Ryder Cup spot.
While McIlroy acknowledged that McKibbin is an adult capable of making his own decisions, he also expressed disappointment at the potential outcome. McIlroy’s concern lies in what McKibbin might be sacrificing in terms of long-term career growth and the global recognition that comes with competing on established tours. The PGA Tour and DP World Tour still offer significant financial rewards, McIlroy pointed out, and he believes that the financial incentives from LIV, while tempting, might not be worth the sacrifices in terms of career development and prestige.
Despite his reservations, McIlroy made it clear that he would support McKibbin regardless of the decision he makes. McIlroy is committed to being a positive influence in McKibbin’s life and career, no matter which path he chooses. He stressed that, while he might personally find the decision disappointing, McKibbin must ultimately live with the consequences of his choices, and McIlroy will continue to cheer for him.
McIlroy also underscored McKibbin’s potential, believing that the young golfer has the talent to become a top-10 player in the world. However, McIlroy warned that if McKibbin joins LIV, his ranking might not reflect his true potential for the next few years, as LIV players are excluded from many of the major events that contribute to global rankings.
In the end, McIlroy’s message to McKibbin was one of support and understanding, acknowledging that the decision is ultimately McKibbin’s to make. But McIlroy’s concerns about the long-term impact of such a move remain clear, particularly in the context of the immense opportunities still available on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.
