Tom Mckibbin eyes £4m LIV golf deal, leaving rival Jordan Smith without a PGA Tour lifeline

Northern Irish golfer Tom McKibbin, 22, is set to trade PGA Tour ambitions for a lucrative £4 million upfront payment by joining the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit. McKibbin, who shares a golfing pedigree with Rory McIlroy at Holywood Golf Club, has not officially signed the deal but has reportedly agreed in principle to join LIV’s Legion XIII team, captained by Jon Rahm and featuring Tyrrell Hatton.

This impending move has dominated discussions at the Team Cup in Abu Dhabi, a Ryder Cup rehearsal where McKibbin paired with Hatton to deliver a decisive 3&2 victory against Antoine Rozner and Julien Guerrier. GB&I captain Justin Rose, while coy, hinted at the inevitability of McKibbin’s defection. “He hasn’t denied it either,” Rose remarked with a knowing smile.

McKibbin’s leap to LIV Golf comes with high stakes. By committing to the Saudi-funded league, he forfeits his hard-won PGA Tour card—secured just two months ago when he edged out Jordan Smith for the final available spot via the DP World Tour’s Order of Merit. This timing has sparked whispers of unease in the GB&I locker room, though Smith has publicly downplayed any bitterness.

Smith, who stood to inherit the PGA card and a guaranteed $500,000 had McKibbin defected earlier, showed remarkable composure when asked about the situation. “It doesn’t really change anything for me. Tom’s got to look after himself, and I’ve got to look after myself,” he said. Smith added that the two continue to share meals and even play darts, underscoring a professional camaraderie despite the high stakes.

McKibbin, for his part, has remained tight-lipped about the move, citing respect for the current tournament. “It’s good to get out there and let my golf do the talking,” the Ulsterman said, reflecting on a partnership with Hatton that he described as “dovetailing nicely.”

The young golfer’s trajectory has been rapid. Last June, McKibbin clinched the European Open title, boosting his profile. Now ranked world No. 110, he appears poised to embrace the riches and freedoms of LIV Golf, despite criticism from traditional circuits.

The DP World Tour brass, present in Abu Dhabi, must grapple with the implications of another rising star opting for the LIV camp. Critics argue the Saudi-backed league undermines the sport’s integrity, while supporters hail its disruptive potential and financial allure.

For McKibbin, the move represents a life-changing opportunity, aligning him with elite LIV players and financial security. Yet, it leaves behind ripples, including Smith’s unfulfilled PGA dream. Golf’s evolving landscape, shaped by financial deals and moral dilemmas, continues to ignite debate.

As McKibbin prepares to join LIV’s Legion XIII, one question looms: Can he prove his worth amid the controversy? For now, the young Northern Irishman lets his game—and his £4m payday—speak volumes.