Jon Rahm has made a splash signing earlier than his second LIV Golf season.
Twenty-two-year-old Tom McKibbin, who’s at the moment twenty first within the European Ryder Cup rankings, will be part of Rahm’s Legion XIII and play alongside him, Tyrrell Hatton, and Caleb Surratt. McKibbin hails from Northern Eire and grew up taking part in at Holywood Golf Membership, the identical course Rory McIlroy performed as a youth.
McKibbin has lengthy admired McIlroy, wanting as much as him as a mentor. The 2 even held a number of conversations about this matter all through December.
“I stated to him, ‘If I have been in your footwear, I’d make a distinct alternative than the one you’re pondering of constructing,’” McIlroy stated of McKibbin on Jan. 15 in Dubai.
“I feel, you recognize, working so laborious to get your tour card within the States… to realize that purpose final yr was a giant achievement.”
Since McKibbin completed 18th within the closing Race to Dubai rankings on the DP World Tour final yr, he earned a PGA Tour card for the 2025 season. The highest 10 finishers within the closing DP World Tour season-long rankings — not in any other case exempt — obtain PGA Tour membership for the next season. McKibbin was the tenth participant to earn a card and would have performed on tour this season. However his choice to go to LIV forfeits his PGA Tour taking part in privileges.
“I feel what he probably is sacrificing and giving up, with entry to majors, potential Ryder Cup spot, relying on, you recognize, how he would play. if I have been in his place and I had his potential, which I feel I’ve been earlier than, I wouldn’t make that call… But when I have been in his place and I had his potential, which I feel I’ve been earlier than, I wouldn’t make that call,” McIlroy added.
“However I’m not him. I’m not in his footwear. He’s a grown man at this level and might make his personal choices. All I can do is attempt to give him my perspective.”
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By. Observe him on X @jack_milko.
