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.

Rory McIlroy has been at the centre of the talks between the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) in recent years and has provided an update

Jon Rahm has made a splash signing before his second LIV Golf season. Twenty-two-year-old Tom McKibbin, who is currently 21st in the European Ryder Cup rankings, will join Rahm’s Legion XIII and play alongside him,

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 rumors when pressed earlier this month at the DP World Tour’s Team Cup.

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