Tom McKibbin of Northern Ireland has spurned the advice from mentor Rory McIlroy by giving up a PGA Tour card to join Saudi-backed LIV Golf. McKibbin, a 22-year-old who won his only European tour event in 2023, has signed to play with Jon Rahm and his Legions 13 team. LIV Golf starts its season next week in Saudi Arabia.

LIV Golf announced it has signed Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin. McKibbin, 22, has been linked to the Saudi-backed league for months, and did not comment on the speculation when pressed earlier this month at the DP World Tour’s Team Cup.

McIlroy recognizes that golf's issues might run a bit deeper than simply giving fans more face time with the game's top players though. With the emergence of LIV Golf, plus a jam-packed PGA Tour schedule, the Northern Irishman believes fans could be burnt out from simply consuming too much.

Rory McIlroy feels golf’s appeal diminished by ‘too many’ events - As well as the Saudi-funded breakaway LIV Golf circuit, the influence of YouTube golf continues to rise alongside the indoor Tomorrow Golf League.

"YouTube is like golf entertainment adjacent. Those guys are killing it. They found a niche, it's really cool and it serves a purpose for a lot of people." Rory McIlroy prefers re

Northern Ireland man Tom McKibbin seals his switch to LIV Golf in what will be a lucrative move for the 22-year-old.

Tom McKibbin, welcome to the team, let’s go.” McKibbin is now in line to feature in the LIV Golf League, which begins its fourth season at Riyadh Golf Club in Saudi Arabia

Tom McKibbin has forgone the advice of mentor and fellow countryman Rory McIlroy as he completed his move to LIV Golf. The Northern Irishman secured his PGA Tour card in December last year but has instead opted to sign a multi-year deal with the Saudi-backed circuit for a reported $5 million (£4 million) fee.

The Northern Irishman has joined Jon Rahm's Legion XIII team in the LIV Golf League despite Rory McIlroy advising against the move