Tom McKibbin, the Northern Irish golfer, has responded to Rory McIlroy’s earlier remarks about his decision to sign with LIV Golf. McKibbin, who made headlines as LIV Golf’s most notable off-season acquisition in January, had previously secured a PGA Tour card at the DP World Tour’s finale in Dubai last November. However, he chose not to take his talents to the U.S. where he could have competed against well-known players like Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, and Scottie Scheffler.
McIlroy had earlier voiced his opinion on McKibbin’s move to LIV, stating that whatever benefits the young golfer might gain from the deal might not be worth the potential sacrifices. He suggested that McKibbin, who he believes has a ton of potential, might have been better off making a different choice.
In response to McIlroy’s comments, McKibbin recently shared his thoughts at the LIV Golf Hong Kong event. Avoiding specifics about his discussions with McIlroy, McKibbin stated that he held a high regard for McIlroy and had spent substantial time with him over the past several years. He admitted that they had exchanged views when the opportunity came up, but ultimately, he followed his instincts.
McKibbin emphasized that he was happy with his decision to join LIV Golf, describing it as a move that excited him and was different from anything he had done before. He underscored that he was the one in control of his career decisions and that the past few weeks have been enjoyable for him.
Examining McKibbin’s performance in the 2025 LIV Golf season, it’s clear that he’s off to a promising start. He currently ranks 13th in the LIV Golf standings. Despite a level-par final round that left him tied for 15th in Riyadh, he bounced back to secure a T7 placement in Adelaide. He shot three sub-par rounds at The Grange and currently ranks 11th in scrambling and eighth for putting average.
One of the highlights of McKibbin’s performance is his average driving distance of 311 yards, which puts him in second place in the LIV tour, even outperforming Bryson DeChambeau by ten yards.
Although McKibbin’s decision to join LIV has its critics, his current standing in the league and his performance on the course suggest that he is well-positioned to consistently compete with top-tier players. His journey in the LIV Golf circuit serves as a testament to his self-belief and his willingness to navigate his own path in the world of professional golf.
