What Rory McIlroy has previously said about Tom McKibbin who looks set to be next to join LIV Golf

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LIV Golf could have its next signing confirmed in the very near future, with PGA Tour rising star Tom McKibbin potentially next to make the move.

McKibbin is in ‘pole position’ to join Legion XIII, replacing the relegated Kieran Vincent in Jon Rahm’s LIV Golf team.

Northern Irish youngster McKibbin only just clinched a PGA Tour card for the 2025 season, having enjoyed a superb 2024 campaign.

McKibbin is one of 10 new golfers on the PGA Tour in 2025, although the 22-year-old’s place is now seemingly in doubt.

He played at the US Open and The Open Championship in 2024, and played the opening two rounds of the Irish Open alongside compatriot Rory McIlroy.

How Rory McIlroy was happy to have played part in Tom McKibbin’s rise

McIlroy and McKibbin once enjoyed a practice round at the 2015 Irish Open, with the former having then spoken very highly of the latter at the latest edition of the event.

“It’s been amazing to watch his journey and see him go from that little boy to become a European Tour winner and getting to play practice rounds with him at major championships… it’s cool to feel like I’ve had a tiny part in that journey,” McIlroy said in September, as quoted by the Belfast News Letter.

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“I’ve tried to help Tom as much as I feel he needs my help… I don’t feel like he needs much of my help but he knows if he has a question that I’m on the other end of the phone.

“Whether it was Darren Clarke or GMac (Graeme McDowell) or some of these guys who were putting their arm around me, I never sought out advice unless I really needed it and Tom seems to be the same.

“He knows what he needs to do and he’s a very mature young man. He doesn’t need much advice from me but he knows I’m here and I’m excited to play competitively with him. It’ll be a great atmosphere out there.”

What else has Rory McIlroy said about Tom McKibbin ahead of potential LIV Golf move?

Previous praise arrived from the four-time major champion in 2023, when a 20-year-old McKibbin won his first DP World Tour title at the European Open in Hamburg.

“For 20 years old he showed so much composure,” said McIlroy, as quoted by Golf Monthly. “And, yeah, we’ve all known from back home the potential that he has, but I think to break through and win for the first time at 20 years old is, there’s a bright future ahead of him.”

McKibbin is perhaps aiming to follow in the footsteps of his compatriot in terms of overall success on the course, but a move to LIV Golf is certainly not the right way to go about it.

McIlroy is a strong advocate for the PGA Tour, although he has been heavily involved in trying to bring the sport back together.

What happened when Tom McKibbin first met Rory McIlroy?

A move from a young star who has just secured his PGA Tour card could, however, really complicate matters, and is certain to at least frustrate McIlroy given their Northern Ireland connection.

As reported by The Irish Times in 2020, a 13-year-old McKibbin first met McIlroy on a putting green in Dubai, with the latter introducing himself to the former.

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A friendship has since formed, with McKibbin noting: “I am really lucky to know someone like Rory and I’ve been lucky enough to play with him a few times.

“I feel can ring him anytime I need to and he’ll always try to help me, whether it’s just to talk, give advice or to be supportive as he knows exactly what it’s like to be playing this level of golf at this age.”