Weeks before the LIV Golf season began, the PGA Tour had just awarded a rising star entry to the main leagues! Lanto Griffin, Alejandro Tosti, and Matthew Riedel received the opportunity through Q-School qualification. Others got their PGA Tour card by showcasing outstanding performances on the DP World Tour. The Hojgaard brothers, Thriston Lawrence, and a few other names make that list. One of them was also supposed to be Tom McKibbin.

Ever heard that name? You might have seen him playing with Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, and Caleb Surratt. That’s because, despite qualifying for the PGA Tour, McKibbin decided to go to LIV Golf. The 21-year-old joining Legion XIII came as a shock to many, including Rory McIlroy. For anyone who doesn’t know, McIlroy and McKibbin come from the same country. That’s not their only connection, as the 2025 Masters champion has often stated how he is close with the young golfer. McIlroy has been mentoring McKibbin since his youth and has watched him grow as a player. In fact, the 29x PGA Tour winner had mentioned how he even spoke to his protégé before the latter moved to LIV Golf.

Back then, the Grand Slam champion was optimistic about McKibbin staying on the PGA Tour. However, the reality was quite different, as not long after, Rahm announced signing McIlroy’s protégé. While the world saw the situation unravel from McIlroy and the Spaniard’s perspective, McKibbin had still not explained his decision until now. In the latest episode, LIV TO WIN EP 3, Tom McKibbin shared how things progressed from his perspective.

“It’s definitely been a little change, but it’s been nice,” said McKibbin to begin his side of the story. Speaking about his decision to join Rahm & Co., he said, “It was a really big decision. Probably one of the biggest decisions I’ve had to make.” Being a 21-year-old, the young Irish player would have felt a lot of pressure when he was asked to choose paths.

He explained, “I got my PGA Tour car at the end of the year. So, I would have been playing out there if I hadn’t decided to go this way. But I spoke to Jon a couple of times on the phone and sort of just talk through how he found it the last year and that definitely helped make my decision a lot easier.” Rahm’s explosive first season in LIV Golf saw him receive a lot of love and support from his peers and fans in 2024. McKibbin would have probably yearned for that.

Speaking about his relationship with McIlroy, he mentioned, “I met Rory probably when I was 11, 12 years old, and have been very lucky to get to spend a lot of time with him. We definitely chatted a couple of times, and ultimately I took the decision that I have, and something I just had to go with my gut and that’s where I went.” It sounds like McKibbin definitely took everything into perspective before making the decision to choose LIV Golf.

In this short time, the Irishman has been quite impressive, playing alongside Rahm and Legion XIII. Let’s take a look at his record in LIV Golf so far to see how good a decision he made.

Rory McIlroy’s protégé’s time in LIV Golf

In his first season in LIV Golf, Rory McIlroy’s close friend is already leaving a big impact on the league. In five appearances so far, he has finished in the top 10 twice and in the top 15 two more times. His efforts have helped him get placed 15th on the individual leaderboard for the season. His team captain, Jon Rahm, has been leading the squad from the front. Despite being winless, the Spaniard is placed third with his worst performance of T9 coming at LIV Golf Miami.

In the video, McKibbin has spoken about his experience in LIV Golf so far. He said, “With the guys that are over here playing now and the fields that they have, the competition is unbelievable. So getting to spend time with people like Jon and Tyrrell, and these other guys, was something that I have seen as a good opportunity. That helps sort of elevate my game a little bit faster than I would have maybe going elsewhere.” He is certainly learning from some great golfers around him.

Apart from his Legion XIII teammates, McKibbin also gets to network with legends like Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia, learn from veterans like Dustin Johnson, and compete with top players like Bryson DeChambeau. Maybe he didn’t feel that the PGA Tour presented the same opportunities consistently enough against Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and Xander Schauffele.

What are your thoughts about Tom McKibbin’s decision to join LIV Golf based on his perception of the situation? Do you believe he took the right step in his career? Let us know in the comments section.