Tom McKibbin was unsurprisingly not chosen for Team Europe at this summer’s Ryder Cup, and though leaving the PGA Tour may not have affected his chances, Rory McIlroy’s LIV Golf advice still holds relevance
Rory McIlroy warned Tom McKibbin that joining LIV Golf could impact his Ryder Cup hopes(Image: Getty)
Rory McIlroy cautioned fellow Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin that switching to LIV Golf might jeopardize his Ryder Cup chances, and the 22-year-old has indeed missed the cut for 2025.
The Belfast-𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 shooter honed his s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s at the same Holywood Golf Club where the legendary McIlroy learned to play and went pro at 18, creating a buzz last year after earning his PGA Tour card through the European Tour.
However, disregarding his fellow countryman’s counsel, McKibbin signed with the breakaway LIV circuit at the start of this year for a rumored $5.5 million. He has subsequently earned $10M in winnings and captured the Team Championship with Legion XIII last month.
During McIlroy’s appeal to McKibbin, the 36-year-old suggested his younger compatriot might forfeit a Ryder Cup opportunity due to his LIV choice.
While McKibbin’s chance at taking on Team USA at Bethpage Black this summer wasn’t assured, competing more frequently on the PGA Tour against elite players might have boosted his limited prospects, making McIlroy’s caution somewhat prophetic, reports Belfast Live.
“I made it perfectly clear: I am not going to stand your way if you need to make the decision you feel like you need to make for yourself,” McIlroy stated regarding McKibbin in January. “At the same time, I feel like he’s giving up a lot to not really benefit that much.
McKibbin (R) enjoyed a stellar first year on LIV(Image: AP)
“I think he’s got a ton of potential,” he added. “I said to him, if I were in your shoes, I would make a different choice. Working so hard to get your tour card in the States, something that he did, to achieve that goal last year was a big achievement.
“I think what he potentially is sacrificing and giving up with access to majors, a potential Ryder Cup spot, if I were in his position and I had his potential, which I think I have been before, I wouldn’t make that decision.
“There is still a ton 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 argue too much money in the game for the eyeballs that we attract. I think that for whatever the benefit may be, I don’t think it’s worth the sacrifice to what he’s potentially going to give up.”
Stars like Ludvig Aberg and Rasmus Hojgaard show what McKibbin could have accomplished. The 25-year-old Swede allegedly rejected a LIV offer in 2022 to remain a developing amateur. In his two years on Tour, he has climbed to World No. 14 and is a key member of Luke Donald’s team.
Hojgaard was a rising European Tour talent similar to McKibbin. After securing his dual membership card through that route, the 24-year-old is now poised to make his Ryder Cup debut. Although, two of McKibbin’s LIV team-mates, Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, did earn selection.
Young McKibbin won’t grace the Ryder Cup this year. However, World No. 2 and Masters champion Rory McIlroy will spearhead the European charge. He remains hopeful as they head to Bethpage Black, fully aware that the home crowd won’t make it easy for him and his team-mates.
“I’ve said this repeatedly, but I think winning an away Ryder Cup is up there with one of the biggest achievements in the game, especially nowadays,” McIlroy confessed this week.
“There’s a reason every Ryder Cup for the last 10 years has gone to the home team. They have a big advantage from the setup of the course to how partisan the crowd is.
“But I think the Europeans have a wonderful opportunity this year to achieve something very, very special – but it’s going to be very difficult. Make no mistake, we know we’re up against it.”
