Tom McKibbin didn’t just show up at LIV Golf—he made a statement.
The 22-year-old Northern Irish sensation turned heads in Riyadh, firing a stunning seven-under 65 in his first-ever round on the controversial tour. Now tied for third place, McKibbin trails only leader Adrian Meronk, proving that he’s not just here to collect a paycheck—he’s here to compete with the best.
A debut like this? On a new tour? Under the lights? It’s the kind of first impression that demands attention.
“I just really enjoyed it,” McKibbin said, as quoted by Irish Independent.
“It was something different, under the lights and the music, and it was a pretty awesome first day.”
LIV’s Unique Atmosphere – A Game-Changer for McKibbin
For a young golfer accustomed to the traditional, buttoned-up world of the PGA Tour, McKibbin admitted that LIV Golf is an entirely different beast.
- Night golf? Never done it.
- Live music during rounds? That’s new.
- A team format led by Jon Rahm? Not your everyday debut.
“Yeah, it was obviously very different—the warm-up, the environment. I’ve never experienced that before,” McKibbin said.
But rather than being overwhelmed, he thrived in the chaos.
“I wouldn’t really say I was too nervous. I was probably more anxious, not sure how it was going to go, especially playing at night, which none of us have ever really experienced.”
Now that he’s shaken off the first-day jitters, McKibbin is locked in for the rest of the tournament—and if his first round is any indication, he’s more than ready for the challenge.
Why McKibbin Chose LIV – And Why Jon Rahm is His Mentor
McKibbin’s decision to ditch the PGA Tour and sign with LIV was met with mixed reactions.
Rory McIlroy—his fellow Northern Irishman and longtime inspiration—tried to steer him away. But instead, McKibbin chose another European superstar to guide his career: Jon Rahm.
The young phenom revealed that Rahm’s team was the only one he seriously considered joining, believing that playing alongside the 2023 Masters champion would be a game-changer for his development.
“I had no talks with any team except Rahm’s,” McKibbin admitted.
With Rahm as his mentor and captain, McKibbin has the opportunity to learn from one of golf’s fiercest competitors—a major champion who thrives under pressure and has already made waves since joining LIV Golf.
Is McKibbin the Next Big Thing?
One round doesn’t make a career—but it can be a preview of what’s to come.
McKibbin has already shown that he has:
✔ The game to go low under pressure
✔ The mentality to embrace new environments
✔ The perfect mentor in Rahm to accelerate his growth
LIV Golf thrives on bold personalities, fearless play, and young stars willing to shake up the system.
And Tom McKibbin just proved he’s ready to be one of them.
