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,

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, Tyrrell Hatton, and Caleb Surratt. McKibbin hails from Northern Ireland and grew up playing at Holywood Golf Club, the same course Rory McIlroy played as a youth.

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.

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

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.