Former Open champion predicts big future for this LIV Golf recruit: "His talent is unquestionable"

Former Open champion Darren Clarke says LIV Golf recruit Tom McKibbin is one of the best ball strikers he has seen since Rory McIlroy. 

McKibbin joined the PIF-backed breakaway for the 2025 campaign, linking up with Jon Rahm's Legion XIII quartet. 

His decision was heavily scrutinised, given he had just secured his very first PGA Tour card following a strong season on the DP World Tour. 

The aforementioned McIlroy, who has acted as a mentor for McKibbin, advised the 22-year-old not to make the switch. 

In his view, he thought he was giving up a lot 'to not really benefit that much'. 

McIlroy was referencing potential difficulty for McKibbin to qualify for major championships and European Ryder Cup teams because of a lack world ranking points. 

There was also plenty of money to be made on the PGA Tour, McIlroy argued. 

It was reported McKibbin's multi-year deal was worth in the region of $5m. 

Clarke, though, still believes McKibbin has a very big future ahead of him.

In an interview with BBC Sport Northern Ireland, the 56-year-old said he has been 'very impressed' by what he has seen. 

"His talent is unquestionable," he said. "I think he's got a huge future in front of him.

"Whether the LIV thing gets resolved or not at some stage, and hopefully it will get resolved, Tom's ball striking was as close to anybody's I've ever seen to Rory. I mean, it really was.

"He's a wonderful young man. He behaves himself probably a lot more than I used to. He doesn't drink. He's very, very focused on what he's doing but I was so impressed with him."

Rory McIlroy getting better with age

McIlroy will attract huge crowds at Royal Portrush next week. 

The 36-year-old grand slam winner told media before playing the Scottish Open he knows what his next Everest will be after winning The Masters. 

McIlroy, who turned heads with his new haircut, said he desperately wants to win majors at iconic venues before he retires. 

Winning an Open in front of his home fans is right up there, he said, and he would love nothing more than to win a US Open at Pebble Beach. 

He missed the cut the last time The Open was played at Royal Portrush but Clarke is expecting a strong showing from the Ulsterman. 

"I don't know if most people understand how big a deal it was for him to win the Grand Slam and to be only the sixth person in history to actually do it," he said. 

"Hard to say it but he's an even better player now than he was back in those days [2019].

"He's been through everything, he's got more experience. Rory doesn't need any more - he's done it all - but I think I'd be looking for a really, really strong week from Rory."

Clarke added: "You put Rory up there with the most famous people from Northern Ireland, sporting people, in recent history. 

"You have George Best, Dame Mary Peters up there [but] Rory to me is maybe even above them.

"He's probably, in my opinion, the best sportsperson we've ever had from Northern Ireland and, for him to achieve what he's achieved, to come here and play, it's just incredible.

"We've got the biggest tournament in the world with the latest Grand Slam champion - it just doesn't get any better."