Tom McKibbin Set to Join Jon Rahm’s LIV Team
LIV Golf, the controversial breakaway league, is making waves as it prepares for its 2025 season opener. While no marquee signing has been officially announced, reports suggest that Tom McKibbin, a rising star and Rory McIlroy protégé, is set to join Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII team on a multi-year deal. This addition marks a significant acquisition for LIV Golf as it seeks to bolster its roster.
McKibbin Joins Rahm’s Squad
The 22-year-old Northern Irishman, who shares a connection with McIlroy through Holywood Golf Club, will replace Kieran Vincent on Rahm’s team. McKibbin will team up with England’s Tyrrell Hatton and America’s Caleb Surratt under Rahm’s leadership. The move comes just weeks after McKibbin earned his PGA Tour card by finishing as one of the top 10 players on the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai who didn’t already hold a card.
A Promising Career So Far
McKibbin, currently ranked 110th in the Official World Golf Ranking, has been steadily climbing the ranks. His 2024 highlights include a T10 finish at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and a T11 finish at the DP World Tour Championship. He also closed out the year with a T24 at the Alfred Dunhill Championship. McKibbin turned professional in 2021 and claimed his first significant win at the Porsche European Open in 2023. He narrowly missed another title with a runner-up finish at the Italian Open in 2024.
Future Commitments
McKibbin has already qualified for the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush and is set to compete in the Dubai Desert Classic next week. However, speculation about his move to LIV Golf has overshadowed his current commitments. At this week’s Team Cup event in Abu Dhabi, where he represents Great Britain and Ireland under Justin Rose and European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, McKibbin declined to confirm the reports.
“I’m not going to make any comments this week out of respect for Justin and Luke and this tournament,” McKibbin told Golf Digest. “It’s a team event, so I’m just trying to give my best to the team and see how many points I can get.”
LIV Golf’s Upcoming Season
The 2025 LIV Golf season will kick off on February 6 in Saudi Arabia, marking the league’s fourth season. McKibbin’s reported signing makes him the second Northern Irishman to join LIV, following former U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell. LIV Golf continues to attract talent with its lucrative contracts, reshaping the landscape of professional golf as it expands its global reach.
