‘The next Rory McIlroy’ likely to join LIV Golf despite just qualifying to play on the PGA Tour

Add as preferred source on Google

Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII could be about to sign one of the DP World Tour’s hottest young players who was destined to make his PGA Tour debut in 2025.

Rahm has been looking for a new addition since Kieran Vincent was relegated from the breakaway venture at the end of the 2024 season.

Six-time PGA Tour winner Tony Finau was heavily linked with a move to LIV, and given his close relationship with Rahm, many assumed Legion would be the obvious location.

However, Finau shut down the LIV Golf talk and participated in the season opener at The Sentry last weekend.

Tom McKibbin in pole position for LIV Golf move

According to Ten Golf, DP World Tour sensation Tom McKibbin is in “pole position” to move to Rahm’s reigning champions.

Although there’s no confirmation thus far, Ten Golf claim the 22-year-old is viewed as the “number one candidate” to sign for LIV.

McKibbin has enjoyed an excellent year on the DP World Tour and has responded to those suggesting he’s the ‘next Rory McIlroy.’

“It’s a huge honour to be compared to Rory and people like him,” McKibbin said in a Challenge Tour Facebook clip. “Obviously, he is a tremendous talent and an unbelievable golfer. I have heard that line for years and have got so used to it. I don’t notice it or read any of it. It’s an honour to be compared, but it totally doesn’t bother me one bit at all. I don’t really focus on it.”

Tom McKibbin’s DP World Tour record and career to date

McKibbin played 27 tournaments during the 2024 season and made 23 cuts. The Northern Irishman finished second once and placed in the top ten eight times.

He earned over $1.6 million and secured PGA Tour status after the DP World Tour Championship at the Earth Course in Dubai. McKibbin also placed inside the top 15 in all but one of the Rolex Series events.

The 22-year-old’s only career win came at the 2023 Porsche European Open in Hamburg, where he earned over $320,000.

What does LIV Golf move mean for Tom McKibbin’s Ryder Cup chances?

Unlike the PGA of America, the DP World Tour still requires LIV Golf players to maintain membership in order to be considered for Luke Donald’s Ryder Cup team at Bethpage Black.

So, if McKibbin does join Legion XIII, the Northern Irishman will likely have to settle any fines accrued from LIV events, which run alongside the DP World Tour.

Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton have yet to settle their differences with the Wentworth-based authorities, and they appealed their sanctions in September.

If McKibbin does join LIV, he must abide by the current sanctions to be eligible to be picked for Donald’s team.

The Golfing Gazette has contacted Tom McKibbin’s agency for further comment.