Rory McIlroy prodigy Tom McKibbin responds to shock LIV Golf transfer: "He gone"

Rory McIlroy prodigy Tom McKibbin has told Golf Digest Middle East he is not going to make any comments about his rumoured move to Jon Rahm's Legion XIII team on the LIV Golf League this season. 

McKibbin, 22, grew up playing golf at Greenisland Golf Club, Greenacres Golf Club and Holywood Golf Club, the same home club as McIlroy.

Four-time major champion McIlroy, 35, took McKibbin under his wing during his junior days and helped give him further advice once turning pro in 2021.

McKibbin then quickly went on to capture his maiden DP World Tour title at the 2023 Porsche European Open.

A year later he earned his PGA Tour card for 2025 after earning membership of the North American circuit via the DP World Tour Rankings. 

As soon as McIlroy had wrapped up the DP World Tour Championship and a sixth Race to Dubai title, he walked immediately over to McKibbin to congratulate him on earning membership of the PGA Tour for the first time in his career.

McIlroy gave McKibbin a big hug.

Check out their warm embrace here:  

But McKibbin has reportedly now binned off his PGA Tour card in order to join Rahm's Legion XIII team for the 2025 LIV Golf League.

The fourth LIV Golf season gets underway in early February in Saudi Arabia.

Ten Golf was the first to report shock news of McKibbin's pending arrival on LIV Golf on Tuesday. 

McKibbin is now expected to become the second Northern Irishman to join the Saudi-bankrolled league following one of his idols Graeme McDowell. 

Rahm's Legion XIII currently consists of himself, Tyrrell Hatton and Caleb Surratt. 

Kieran Vincent was on the team last season but he lost his place for 2025 after being relegated from the breakaway league. 

McKibbin is expected to officially join LIV Golf after competing in this week's DP World Tour's new Team Cup, a three-day matchplay contest between GB & Ireland and Continental Europe in Abu Dhabi. 

The World No.110 refused to comment any further on the rumours when pressed for comment by Golf Digest ME on Wednesday. 

"I’m not gonna make any comments this week out of respect for Justin [Rose] and Luke [Donald] and this tournament," said McKibbin. 

"It’s a team event so I’m just trying to give my best to the team and see how many points I can get."

Popular golf social media account Flushing It considers McKibbin not shutting down the rumour there and then indicates he is very much off to LIV Golf.

"He gone," tweeted Flushing It. 

You can only wonder what McIlroy - who has been a vocal critic of all things LIV Golf in recent years - makes of McKibbin's decision...

European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, who is hosting this week's Team Cup on the DP World Tour, told Gulf News: "Tom has to make the decisions that he feels are best for him. 

"I talked to Tom and he’s very much looking forward to this week, looking forward to playing for Justin, looking forward to try and impress me and contribute to the team.

"Nothing changes there."

Hatton is eligible to compete in this week's Team Cup as he was let back onto the DP World Tour as a result of having appealed his fines for joining LIV Golf last season.

Rahm also did the same but he is not taking part in the Team Cup.

The decision to return to the DP World Tour means Hatton is also eligible to compete in Donald's 2025 European Ryder Cup team. 

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