Former Ryder Cup captain: Going to LIV Golf has benefited McKibbin's career

Former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley says Tom McKibbin's career has benefited from his switch to LIV Golf. 

The 22-year-old Irishman made the leap to the breakaway tour in 2024, joining forces with Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, and Caleb Surratt as part of the Legion XIII team.

McKibbin made the move despite advice from Masters champion Rory McIlroy, who has known him since childhood. Both grew up playing at Holywood Golf Club.

By most accounts, McKibbin enjoyed a strong debut season on LIV Golf, securing four top-10 finishes and ending up 20th in the individual standings. 

He recently notched his second professional win at the Hong Kong Open, taking home £360,000 and earning automatic entry into next year's Open and The Masters.

McGinley, who has often expressed criticism of LIV Golf due to the divisiveness it has caused in men's golf and concerns about its long-term sustainability, actually sees McKibbin's move in a positive light.

In a wide-ranging interview with bunkered, McGinley explained that the financial security McKibbin has gained through LIV has allowed him to play with more freedom.

"He's been a hell of a player," McGinley said. "The events that he's played on the European Tour, he's acquitted himself well. He's been a good player from a very young age. 

"Going to LIV, I think, has benefited his career. He's playing more regularly with better players. That's always an important thing for any young player's progress. Being lucky enough to be on the Hatton and Rahm team has helped him.

"He's also making a lot of money and that takes away a lot of pressure and gives him a bit more freedom in his golf. 

"The way things are at the moment, with him not banned off the tour and waiting on an appeal, he is able to play quite a lot of DP World events on top of the LIV schedule.

"He's been playing as much golf as he would have played if he had stayed with the PGA Tour. It's all worked out very well for Tom so far."

McGinley added that many players are watching McKibbin's career closely, as he has shown that it's possible to compete on a full LIV schedule, play additional DP World Tour events, and still qualify for the majors.

His assessment stands in contrast to English tour pro Eddie Pepperell, who recently questioned the notion that McKibbin's move to LIV has been positive for his career.

How long McKibbin will be able to enjoy his current schedule remains to be seen. 

McKibbin is being fined by the DP World Tour owing to his participation in LIV Golf events. 

LIV's backers have been paying the fines on behalf of their players but it is understood they will no longer do so at the end of the 2026 season. 

McKibbin and the aforementioned Rahm and Hatton have appealed their punishments and therefore remain eligible to compete in DP World Tour events and remain members. 

That hearing is yet to take place. 

If their appeal is lost, the players could be required to pay the fines, serves suspensions and potentially lose their membership. 

That could in turn make them ineligible for the Ryder Cup.