Tom McKibbin's first words as a LIV Golf player after defying Rory McIlroy

New LIV Golf recruit Tom McKibbin says missing out on major championship starts 'didn't really bother me too much'. 

McKibbin sealed his lucrative switch to the breakaway tour last week and will represent Jon Rahm's Legion XIII for the 2025 season. 

It is understood the 22-year-old has agreed a two-year deal with the PIF-backed circuit for a reported $5m fee.

His move was all the more surprising given he was visibly emotional after claimed his first PGA Tour card last November. 

McIlroy sought out McKibbin after he secured his playing rights on the U.S. circuit at the DP World Tour's season finale, telling his Holywood clubmate the achievement was 'absolutely class'. 

Two months later McKibbin all but confirmed his imminent switch to LIV at the Team Cup. 

But out of respect for the Ryder Cup warm-up, refused to comment on the speculation. 

McIlroy told reporters on 15 January that McKibbin called him when he got the offer. 

The four-time major winner said he advised McKibbin not to join, adding: "I feel like he's giving up a lot to not really benefit that much."

McKibbin said before LIV's season opener in Riyadh that missing out on majors did weigh on his mind. 

"But to me, I wasn't in any of those anyway," he said. 

McKibbin has already secured his place at this year's Open at Royal Portrush. 

But he now faces the prospect of sliding down the world rankings and being frozen out of the others. 

McKibbin is currently ranked 109th in the OWGR. 

He added: "Again, the opportunity to get to play with guys out here more often, more consistently was definitely a huge factor.

"But I think I wasn't in -- I'm not in those majors anyway at the minute, so it really didn't bother me too much."

McKibbin described the past few weeks as an 'incredible' experience getting to know his new teammates. 

"I've watched this for the last couple years since it started, and it's something that I've really liked to watch, something very different, something that probably appeals to more people my age," he said.  

"I think sort of the opportunity to get to play with these guys here and learn from some of the best players in the world week in, week out is something that appealed very, very nicely to me.

"I liked the whole concept of everything, as I said, something from a younger age standpoint is something that -- I sort of liked the atmosphere of it. 

"It was something cool and something new to me and something I'm very much looking forward to."

McKibbin is playing the first round of LIV Golf Riyadh alongside Jinichiro Kozuma and Frederik Kjettrup.

The tournament is being played under the lights in Saudi Arabia to try and attract a U.S. audience following their TV deal with Fox. 

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