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.

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.

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

The merger between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour does not seem to be happening anytime soon. It has already been a year and a half since the framework agreement, but nothing concrete has happened except for promises from both sides that the final agreement will become a reality in the near future.

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