Tour pro: Jordan Smith 'p---ed off' over Tom McKibbin's $5m LIV Golf move

English tour pro Eddie Pepperell has suggested Jordan Smith was being diplomatic when he was asked about the implications of Tom McKibbin's reported switch to LIV Golf. 

It is understood the 22-year-old is close to agreeing a two-year contract with the breakaway tour that comes with an up-front fee of $5m. 

The deal will see McKibbin join Jon Rahm's Legion XIII quartet for the 2025 season, which kicks off in a few weeks in Riyadh. 

McKibbin's dilemma comes only a few months after he secured his first PGA Tour card via the DP World Tour's money list. 

He pipped the aforementioned Smith to the last spot, which also comes with $500,000 in guaranteed earnings. 

Telegraph Sport have reported that McKibbin's delay in giving LIV a firm yes or no means that Smith has missed the deadline to play on the North American circuit should Rory McIlroy's protégé have a sudden desire to grow the game. 

McKibbin chose to ignore questions about his future at last week's Team Cup where he was on the same side as Smith in the Ryder Cup warm-up. 

For his part, Smith also stressed that there was no issue. 

But Pepperell explained that it was in his view that Smith was 'just being nice' for the camera and his true feelings are a tad different. 

Pepperell told the latest episode of The Chipping Forecast: "Yeah, look, I think he was being nice for the camera. 

"I do think he's somewhat - I don't think he's bitter about it - but he's somewhat p---ed off and in my opinion rightly so."

The golfer said McKibbin should have been more open and honest earlier with his decision making. 

He described that behaviour as 'disappointing'. 

"It would've helped Jordan out," he said. "And at a time in Jordan's career where, actually, I think a year on the PGA Tour would've been great for Jordan Smith. 

"So it's a real shame."

McKibbin is yet to make a decision, according to Rahm. 

Rahm spoke about the topic ahead of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. 

The 2023 Masters champion is making his debut in the event, having previously favoured to start his campaigns in California. 

Asked by a reporter if LIV is the perfect environment for McKibbin to thrive, Rahm said: "I can't tell you what a good and bad environment is for Tom. 

"I think that's an answer for him. I think it is a good environment as any, really. It's just as competitive as pretty much any other tour.

"You have to go out there and play against some of the best players in the world, so yeah, it's an environment in which you can grow very rapidly, as well.

"He's a fantastic player, and the possibilities for him are endless whenever he decides to do."

Next page:

• Rahm reckons Sergio still has it at Ryder Cup level