Tom McKibbin didn’t just arrive at LIV Golf—he announced himself in style.
With a flawless seven-under 65 in Riyadh, the 22-year-old Northern Irishman wasted no time proving that he belongs among golf’s elite. His stunning debut not only turned heads but also earned high praise from his captain and mentor, Jon Rahm.
“I was very aware of his talent,” Rahm said, as quoted by Irish Independent.
“I hadn’t seen it on the golf course live yet, but Monday and Tuesday it was very apparent how good at golf he is and how high his ceiling really is.”
McKibbin’s impressive round has immediately put him in contention, further fueling the excitement around his arrival in LIV Golf.
Legion XIII Off to a Blistering Start – McKibbin’s Impact is Immediate
McKibbin’s debut couldn’t have gone much better, but he wasn’t alone in shining for Legion XIII.
The entire team came out firing, prompting Rahm to express his excitement over his squad’s early dominance.
“It’s an incredible round by all of us, to have two six-unders, myself and Tom playing this good,” Rahm said.
“As it stands right now, I’m dragging the team a little bit with a five-under.”
With strong performances across the board, Legion XIII is emerging as one of LIV Golf’s early powerhouse teams—and McKibbin is already proving to be a valuable asset.
Rahm Shocked No Other Teams Fought for McKibbin
Perhaps the most surprising revelation? Rahm expected a bidding war for McKibbin—but it never came.
The 30-year-old Spaniard admitted that he anticipated fierce competition to sign the highly talented young star, but to his surprise, Legion XIII was the only team to pursue him.
“It’s strange that no one but my team fought for McKibbin’s signature,” Rahm revealed.
For Rahm, this was a shocking oversight by the rest of LIV Golf, but for Legion XIII, it was a golden opportunity.
And now, just one round into his LIV Golf career, McKibbin is already proving why Rahm wanted him so badly.
A New Era for McKibbin – Is He the Next Big Star?
While it’s too early to anoint McKibbin as the next LIV superstar, his flawless debut suggests that he could be on that trajectory.
✔ Fearless mentality – No first-round nerves, just pure execution.
✔ Elite mentorship – Learning from Rahm, one of the best in the game.
✔ Sky-high potential – Already competing with LIV’s biggest names.
McKibbin himself acknowledged that he’s still adjusting to the unique environment of LIV Golf, from the team format to the loud, music-filled atmosphere. But one thing is clear—he’s not just here to make up the numbers.
“It was something different, under the lights and the music, and it was a pretty awesome first day,” McKibbin said.
With a red-hot start and the full backing of Rahm, McKibbin’s journey in LIV Golf is off to a dream start.
Now the question is: Can he keep this momentum rolling and cement himself as one of the sport’s rising superstars?
One thing’s for sure—LIV Golf has found a new name to watch.
