Is this promising pro headed to LIV Golf? He won’t comment on rumors

If Tom McKibbin is going to be the newest member of LIV Golf, the 22-year-old Northern Irishman isn’t saying.

Speaking Wednesday to Golf Digest Middle East at the DP World Tour Team Cup, McKibbin would neither confirm nor deny his rumored move to be the newest member of Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII team, replacing the relegated Kieran Vincent.

“I’m not gonna make any comments this week out of respect for Justin [Rose] and Luke [Donald] and this tournament,” McKibbin said. “It’s a team event, so I’m just trying to give my best to the team and see how many points I can get.”

McKibbin joining LIV, which begins its fourth season next month, would be a surprise move after the 22-year-old secured his PGA Tour card by just 10.5 Race To Dubai Points with a closing birdie at the DP World Tour Championship.

“Yeah it would be great to be over there on the PGA Tour, a tour I’ve watched for a long time, and it will be great over there and play some golf,” McKibbin said in Dubai at the time.

McKibbin, who is currently ranked No. 110 in the world, would forfeit the PGA Tour card he just earned if he jumped to LIV.

That move, should it occur, would sting Rory McIlroy, who McKibbin has said he considers his mentor. McKibbin is from the same golf club (Holywood Golf Club) as McIlory. The world No. 3 made sure to seek out McKibbin and congratulate him for earning his PGA Tour card after the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, which McIlroy won.

“I was looking at the leaderboard, and I saw Tom got in the top 10, and I thought okay, good, and when I was walking off the last, I didn’t see his name, and I see him before I signed my card and he was congratulating me, and I didn’t want to ask – I said, ‘Yay or nay?’ And he said, ‘Yes,'” McIlroy said.

“I’m happy for him. That was a massive goal for him was to get one of those ten cards and go play in America. Super happy for him…. I think Europe has a lot of good young players and that obviously bodes well for the future for European golf for Ryder Cups.”

McKibbin’s jump to LIV is still just a rumor, but the 22-year-old’s unwillingness to tamp them out suggests there is some fire to this smoke.

While Rahm, Tyrell Hatton, and Caleb Surratt are still searching for (or at least waiting to announce) the final member of their team, other LIV golf franchises have recently announced additions as the season draws near. Branden Grace has rejoined Stinger, Frederik Kjettrup signed with the Cleeks, and Ben Campbell joined the RangeGoats. Bubba Watson will also return as the captain of the RangeGoats.

LIV Golf’s season begins Feb. 6-8 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.