DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Rory McIlroy has expressed disappointment at the prospect of fellow Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin joining LIV Golf, warning him the sacrifice is not worth it.
McIlroy confirmed on Wednesday that his protégé, 22-year-old McKibbin, had received an offer from the Saudi-backed Breakthrough Tour and was considering a move, just weeks after his first PGA Tour start qualifications.
McIlroy said he had spoken to McKibbin “many times” about a possible switch and advised him not to do so.
“I really like Tom as a person and as a player,” McIlroy said at a news conference ahead of the Dubai Desert Classic, which starts on Thursday. “I think he has a lot of potential. Look, I said to him, if I were in your shoes, I would make a different choice than what you want. I think, you know, working so hard to Get your tourist card in the US…achieving this last year was a huge accomplishment.
“I think what he might sacrifice and give up, getting to the majors, potentially a Ryder Cup berth, depends on, you know, how he's going to play… If I were in his position and I had His potential, I think I've experienced it before, I wouldn't have made that decision.
McKibbin and McIlroy grew up at the same club, Holywood Golf Club, and were impressed by the four-time golfer after learning he had earned a PGA Tour card based on points earned during the European Tour season. A hug from a Grand Slam champion.
McIlroy said, “Personally, it would be a little bit disappointing if McKibbin joined LIV,” but he wouldn't stop him.
“I would say there's still a lot of money to be made on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour,” McIlroy said. “There's too much money in the game, and some people think there's too much money in the game to attract our attention.
“So, yeah, like I said, I think whatever the benefit is, I don't think it's worth the sacrifice for what he might be giving up.”
As negotiations between the PGA Tour, European Tour and LIV Golf operators continue, the chaotic world of golf is waiting to discover what the future holds.
Jon Rahm, who switched to LIV Golf in December 2023, said on Tuesday he was excited about the future of golf, describing it as a “golden age…full of possibilities.”
McIlroy said Rahm wore “very rose-tinted glasses.”
“I would say, given everything that's happened in the game over the last two or three years, I think what I could probably imagine is that the dominance on the American side might come back a little bit and not be like that. The sport has never been global. 's, but you know, kind of trying to create opportunities globally,” McIlroy said. “So I think we're in a good position to try to expand that segment.
“There are some great players, right? There are some great players playing on different tours and around the world, which is great. But at the same time, it's become too fragmented and disjointed.”
McIlroy hopes to win the Dubai Desert Classic for the third consecutive year.
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