While LIV Golf has not managed to make a signing anywhere near the level of Jon Rahm in this off-season, they have still managed to spring a big surprise with the player seemingly set to take the final spot on the league for 2025.
The winter has been a concerning time for the likes of the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour in the last few years, as it has marked the time when the rumour mill concerning who could join LIV Golf gets into full flow.
Of course, the move to sign Jon Rahm sent shockwaves through the sport in 2023. And he was followed by Tyrrell Hatton, in a move which dealt a further blow to their rivals.
The last few months have been a lot quieter for LIV. There were reports Tony Finau had agreed to join LIV. But instead, the league has signed a number of younger players, with the likes of Yubin Jang and Frederik Kjettrup joining ahead of 2025.
Padraig Harrington issues verdict on potential LIV Golf signing
There is one spot left to fill, with Legion XIII reportedly set to sign Tom McKibbin. McKibbin had earned his PGA Tour card, but has seemingly opted to pass up the opportunity.
It is a surprising move. And speaking to Bunkered, Padraig Harrington has issued his verdict on the potential decision McKibbin has made.
“Tom is in a great position, he’s progressed very nicely,” he said.
“He’s done what he needs to have done. Got through the Challenge Tour, won on [the DP World] Tour. Going very nicely. It’s an interesting one. He was set to go to the US and everybody goes. He’s young and I think he still would have been better off learning to compete and win more in Europe and take a few starts in the States.
“If he stays focused in Europe for a few years he would become a prolific winner – and that would be nice at that stage. He’s gone to LIV so the question is with the smaller fields, no cut, would he get into contention more? If he gets into contention more it’s a good move.
“If he ends up in the middle of the pack, it’s not a good move, but nor would the PGA Tour have been a good move if he’s finishing 25th – 25th on the PGA Tour or 15th in LIV – you’re going to make double the money on LIV but you’re not learning anything.
“Wherever he is he’s got to be competing to win. I hope he’s gone to LIV with the intention that it’s a smaller field.”
How LIV Golf may really benefit from quiet off-season as Tom McKibbin deal edges closer
LIV will argue that they have made the conscious decision to target younger players with high ceilings this summer. Whether that is the case or not, it appears to be a wise call to look at the potential superstars of tomorrow.
Ultimately, the big issue with LIV is that many of their household names are coming towards the end of their careers at the highest level. And moving them on is going to be a challenge. There was the farcical situation of Branden Grace re-signing with Stinger despite being ‘relegated’ this year.
The job of starting the new chapter in LIV’s history will be a lot easier if McKibbin, Kjettrup and Yang have become big names. And that will happen if they manage to go toe to toe with some of LIV’s marquee players in the next few years.
At a time when the PGA Tour appears to be closing itself off to competition, LIV’s off-season ahead of 2025 has the potential to be much more impressive than it initially appears.
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