McIlroy fears signing Tom McKibbin to LIV ‘isn’t worth the sacrifice’ | LIV Golf Series

Rory McIlroy has expressed his disappointment at the impending move to LIV Golf of Tom McKibbin, his fellow Northern Irishman and player he has mentored. “I don’t think it’s worth it,” McIlroy said of the 22-year-old’s next move.

McIlroy has been close to McKibbin since the latter burst onto the scene as a talented child. Last November, McKibbin’s rise continued with him earning a PGA Tour card for 2025. However, it appears McKibbin will not accept that membership; having been targeted by Jon Rahm’s LIV team, he is set to join the Saudi-backed tour for a fee of $5 million plus additional annual guarantees. The figures are dwarfed by those given to others to trade traditional circuits for LIV.

“As soon as he got the offer, he called me,” McIlroy said. “We had a really good conversation and I spoke to him several times throughout December to get a sense of what he was thinking and basically what he was going to do. All I can do is give my point of view.

“I really like Tom as a person, as a player. I think he has a lot of potential. I told him, “If I were in your place, I would make a different choice than the one you are considering.”

“Working so hard to get your card in the United States, what he did, to achieve that goal last year, was a great achievement. I think about what he’s potentially sacrificing and giving up with access to the majors, a potential place in the Ryder Cup… I don’t think anything is official yet but if I was at his place and I had his potential, which I think I had before, I wouldn’t make that decision.

“But I’m not him. I’m not in his place. At this point he is a grown man and can make his own decisions. All I can do is try to give him my point of view.

“Personally, for me, it would be a little disappointing if that were to happen, but I’ve made it perfectly clear: ‘I’m not going to put up with you if you have to make the decision that you feel you have to make for yourself.’ But at the same time, I feel like he’s giving up a lot to not really enjoy it.”

It seems strange that McKibbin would go against McIlroy’s advice, such has been the influence of the four-time major winner. Both are in the field in Dubai this week for the Desert Classic, which McIlroy is looking to win for the third time in a row. Rahm makes his first appearance at the Emirates Club. Confirmation of McKibbin’s change of domain is expected to come before the start of the LIV season in Riyadh next month.

“He has to make his own decision, and when he does, however it happens, I will always be a fan of him,” McIlroy added. “I will always try to help him in any way I can. Whatever path he chooses, he will live with it, which is totally fine.

“I think we all see the potential he has, and I really think he can be a top 10 player in the world. But his rankings won’t show it over the next two years if he makes one decision over another.

“No one knows exactly how much they will earn. What I would say is that there is still a lot of money to be made on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour. There is so much money in the game, and some would say there is too much for the eyes we attract. Whatever the benefit, I don’t think it’s worth sacrificing what it’s potentially going to give up.