Tom McKibbin is content with his decision to disregard Rory McIlroy’s counsel following his inaugural year on the LIV Golf tour. McKibbin emerged victorious in the team Championship while playing alongside Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII in Michigan over the weekend.
Despite McIlroy’s urging to accept a PGA Tour card last November, McKibbin opted to join the Saudi-backed circuit in January. McIlroy, acknowledging McKibbin’s sacrifice of major championship opportunities, questioned the value of choosing LIV over the PGA.
McIlroy expressed his reservations but respected McKibbin’s choice, emphasizing the potential drawbacks of forgoing the PGA Tour. However, McKibbin’s decision paid off as he contributed to his team’s success in forcing a play-off against Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers, ultimately clinching the championship and a $14 million prize with Rahm and Hatton.
Under the season’s distribution, 60% of the prize money goes to the team while the rest is divided among the players. McKibbin stands to earn £1.04 million ($1.4 million) alongside Rahm, Hatton, and Surratt, bringing his season earnings to approximately £7.3 million.
Reflecting on his achievements, McKibbin expressed gratitude for the learning experience of the past year, particularly citing the influence of his teammates. Despite McIlroy’s concerns about his career trajectory, McKibbin’s collaboration with Rahm and Hatton has proven beneficial, with Legion XIII securing multiple victories throughout the season.
McKibbin highlighted the valuable lessons learned from playing alongside top professionals and adapting to challenging golf courses, underscoring the significant impact these experiences have had on his game development and overall performance.
