Rory McIlroy has warned compatriot Tom McKibbin of 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 ahead of the 2025 season despite having 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 win the Ryder Cup-style event, while McKibbin played alongside LIV Golf's Tyrrell Hatton on day one . .
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Highlights from day three of the Team Cup, where Great Britain and Ireland completed their convincing victory over continental Europe
McIlroy revealed ahead of his Hero Dubai Desert Classic title defense that he had had multiple conversations with McKibbin about a potential move – 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 a pre-tournament press conference. “I think he has a ton of potential. I told him, if I were you, I would make a different choice than what you think.
Tom McKibbin and Rory McIlroy are from the same golf club in Northern Ireland
“I think the hard work of getting your (PGA) Tour card in the United States, something he did, to achieve that goal last year, was a huge success.
“What he's potentially sacrificing and giving up for access to the majors, a potential spot in the Ryder Cup, depending on how he plays…if I was in his position and had his potential, which I think I was before, I wouldn't bring that the decision.
Tom McKibbin had nine top 10 finishes on the 2024 DP World Tour.
“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 perspective. It would be a little disappointing for me personally if that happened.
“I made it perfectly clear: I will not stand in your way if you need to make a decision that you feel you have to make yourself. But at the same time, I feel like he's giving up a lot to not benefit as much.”
McKibbin registered his first DP World Tour title – in his rookie season – at the Porsche European Open in June 2023 and enjoyed a strong finish last season, where he earned his PGA Tour card through his Race to Dubai ranking position.
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Highlights from day four of the 2023 Porsche European Open in Hamburg, Germany, where Tom McKibbin won his first DP World Tour title
“At the end of the day, he has to make his own decision, and when he does, no matter what happens, I'll always be his fan,” McIlroy added. “I will always try to help him in any way I can.
“Whatever he chooses, he's going to live with that, which is 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 rankings won't show that in the next few years if he makes one decision over another.”
The world number 114 will join Jon Rahm's Legion XIII squad and the Spaniard is confident the move can help McKibbin build on a promising start to his professional career.
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Jon Rahm says the last Ryder Cup was the best golf experience of his life and hopes to be part of the team again in 2025 in New York
“I can't tell you what's a good and bad environment for Tom (McKibbin),” Rahm said ahead of his Hero Dubai Desert Classic debut. “I think that's the answer for him. I think it's (LIV) as good an environment as any, really.
“It's just as competitive as almost 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.
“He's a fantastic player and the possibilities are endless for him whenever he chooses.”
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Ryder Cup captains Luke Donald and Keegan Bradley talk about LIV Golf players competing in the Ryder Cup
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Full coverage begins at 7.30am on Thursday and Friday before a 7am start over the weekend, with all four rounds of the PGA Tour American Express and Latin America Amateur Championship also broadcast on Sky Sports. Stream DP world tour, major items and more from NOW.