Tom McKibbin says while he took on board Rory McIlroy's concerns that he was jeopardising his chances of playing in majors and the Ryder Cup by joining LIV Golf, it was not a solid enough reason to turn his back on the Saudi-backed league.
Last week Jon Rahm confirmed the Antrim golfer had joined his Legion XIII team, with the 22-year-old signing a contract believed to be worth €4.8m ($5m) for three years.
McKibbin, the second high-profile Irish golfer to sign with the tour after 2010 US Open champion Graeme McDowell, will make his LIV debut at the €24m ($25m) 2025 opening event under floodlights at Riyadh Golf Club tomorrow.
Initial reports of McKibbin's departure came as a shock in the wake of his strong showing in 2024 season, when he finished 18th in the Race to Dubai, securing dual membership of the DP World Tour and PGA Tour for 2025.
The breakaway league returns for its fourth season, a 14-event schedule where there are no world ranking points and 54 players play just three rounds with a shotgun start for $25 million each week.
McKibbin will play alongside Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton and American Caleb Surratt on the Legion XIII team.
Speaking ahead of the event, McKibbin outlined his reasons for his defection.
"I've watched this for the last couple years since it started, and it's something that I've really liked to watch, something very different, something that probably appeals to more people my age," he said.
"I think the opportunity to get to play with these guys here and learn from some of the best players in the world week in, week out is something that appealed very, very nicely to me."
Last month McIlroy revealed he advised his fellow Hollywood golfer against joining LIV as it would hamper his career, especially after achieving a PGA Tour card in his rookie year.
"What he potentially is sacrificing and giving up with access to majors, potential Ryder Cup spot, depending on how he would play…if I were in his position and I had his potential, which I think I have been before, I wouldn't make that decision."
McKibbin says he took the advice into account, but feels he isn’t really part of those conversations at the minute.
McKibbin has already qualified for his home Open Championship at Royal Portrush but has not secured entry into the other three majors.
He says while he took McIlroy’s advice into consideration, he feels isn’t really part of the major conversations at this moment in time.
"Yeah, it was definitely in my mind, but to me, I wasn't in any of those anyway," he said.
"Again, the opportunity to get to play with guys out here more often, more consistently was definitely a huge factor.
"I'm not in those majors anyway at the minute, so it really didn't bother me too much."
