Rory issues LIV warning to McKibbin: 'Giving up a lot for not much benefit'

Rory McIlroy has warned compatriot Tom McKibbin about the risks of joining the LIV Golf League and believes he would be ‘giving up a lot’ to join the rival circuit.

McKibbin, who hails from the same Holywood Golf Club in Northern Ireland as McIlroy, is expected to join LIV Golf ahead of the 2025 season despite holding dual membership on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour for the year ahead.

The 22-year-old refused to comment on reports of him joining LIV Golf during the Team Cup, where he helped Great Britain and Ireland to victory in a Ryder Cup-style event, with McKibbin playing alongside LIV Golf's Tyrrell Hatton during the opening day.

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McIlroy revealed ahead of his Hero Dubai Desert Classic title defence that he has had multiple conversations with McKibbin about the potential switch - which would see him unable to utilise his PGA Tour playing privileges - and admitted it would be disappointing to see him join.

"I really like Tom as a person, as a player," McIlroy said in his pre-tournament press conference. "I think he's got a ton of potential. I said to him, if I were in your shoes, I would make a different choice than the one you're thinking of making.

"I think working so hard to get your [PGA] Tour card in the States, something that he did, to achieve that goal last year was a big achievement.

"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.

"I'm not him. I'm not in his shoes. He's a grown man at this point and can make his own decisions. All I can do is try to give him my perspective. Personally for me it would be a little disappointing if it were to happen.

"I made it perfectly clear: I am not going to stand your way if you need to make the decision you feel like you need to make for yourself. But at the same time, I feel like he's giving up a lot to not really benefit that much."

McKibbin registered his maiden DP World Tour title - in his rookie season - at the Porsche European Open in June 2023 and enjoyed a strong finish to last season, where he earned his PGA Tour card via his position in the Race to Dubai rankings.

"At the end of the day, he has to make his own decision, and when he does, whatever way that goes, I'm always going to be a fan of his," McIlroy added. "I'm always going to try to help him in whatever way that I can.

"Whatever way he chooses to go, he's going to live with it, which is totally fine. I think we all see the potential that he has, and I definitely think he can be a top-10 player in the world. But obviously his ranking won't show that for the next couple years if he makes one decision over another."

The world No 114 is set to join Jon Rahm's Legion XIII team, with the Spaniard confident that the move can help McKibbin build on his promising start to his professional career.

"I can't tell you what a good and bad environment is for Tom [McKibbin]," Rahm said ahead of his Hero Dubai Desert Classic debut. "I think that's an answer for him. I think it [LIV] is a good environment as any, really.

"It's just as competitive as pretty much any other tour. You have to go out there and play against some of the best players in the world, so yeah, it's an environment in which you can grow very rapidly, as well.

"He's a fantastic player, and the possibilities for him are endless whenever he decides to do."

How can I watch the action?

Sky Sports will have extended coverage from all four rounds of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, with Featured Groups live from 4am each morning on Sky Sports Golf and bringing bonus action ahead of the main action.

Full coverage starts at 7.30am on Thursday and Friday ahead of getting under way from 7am over the weekend, with all four rounds of the PGA Tour's American Express and the Latin America Amateur Championship also live on Sky Sports. Stream the DP World Tour, majors and more with NOW.