Tom McKibbin of Northern Ireland has spurned the advice from mentor Rory McIlroy by giving up a PGA Tour card to join Saudi-backed LIV Golf. McKibbin, a 22-year-old who won his only European tour event in 2023, has signed to play with Jon Rahm and his Legions 13 team. LIV Golf starts its season next week in Saudi Arabia.

Tom McKibbin learned to play golf at Holywood GC in Northern Ireland, the same golf club as Rory McIlroy; the 22-year-old gives up the PGA Tour card he won for 2025 season to join LIV Golf where he teams up with Jon Rahms Legion XIII;

LIV Golf announced it has signed Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin. McKibbin, 22, has been linked to the Saudi-backed league for months, and did not comment on the rumors when pressed earlier this month at the DP World Tour’s Team Cup.

Tom McKibbin seals his switch to LIV Golf in what will be a lucrative move for the 22-year-old from Northern Ireland.

Jon Rahm has made a splash signing before his second LIV Golf season. Twenty-two-year-old Tom McKibbin, who is currently 21st in the European Ryder Cup rankings, will join Rahm’s Legion XIII and play alongside him,

Tom McKibbin has forgone the advice of mentor and fellow countryman Rory McIlroy as he completed his move to LIV Golf. The Northern Irishman secured his PGA Tour card in December last year but has instead opted to sign a multi-year deal with the Saudi-backed circuit for a reported $5 million (£4 million) fee.