Tom McKibbin stands by his decision to disregard Rory McIlroy’s counsel following his inaugural year on the LIV Golf tour. McKibbin clinched victory in the team Championship with Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII in Michigan over the weekend.
Despite McIlroy’s advice for McKibbin to accept his PGA Tour card last November, the Belfast golfer opted to join the Saudi-supported circuit in January. McIlroy, expressing concerns about McKibbin’s sacrifice of major tournament opportunities, emphasized the potential drawbacks of choosing LIV over the PGA Tour.
McIlroy acknowledged McKibbin’s choice but conveyed his belief that it might not yield significant benefits. Nonetheless, McKibbin’s decision was vindicated as he contributed to his team’s playoff win against Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers in the season finale. The victory, secured by Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton on the second playoff hole, earned the team the championship title and a top prize of $14 million.
Under the prize distribution structure, 60% of the winnings go to the team, with the remaining 40% divided among the four players. This arrangement means McKibbin will receive £1.04 million ($1.4 million) alongside Rahm, Hatton, and Caleb Surratt, bringing his total season earnings to around £7.3 million.
Reflecting on his experience, McKibbin expressed gratitude for the growth and learnings from his teammates throughout the year. Ending his debut season in 20th place in the LIV individual rankings, McKibbin secured his place in the ‘lock zone,’ ensuring his continuation with the tour. Despite McIlroy’s reservations, McKibbin highlighted the positive impact of partnering with Rahm and Hatton on his performance this season.
McKibbin emphasized the invaluable lessons learned from seasoned players and the challenging golf courses faced during the tour, contributing to his overall development. Ultimately, McKibbin’s success and growth on the LIV Golf tour have validated his decision to pursue this path, despite initial reservations.