Rory McIlroy's protégé joins the LIV Golf exit queue: "I'm confident this is the right decision"

Tom McKibbin has announced his decision to leave LIV Golf and play on the DP World Tour full-time in 2027.

The 23-year-old, from Northern Ireland, is seen as a rising star in the sport.

He joined the breakaway tour in 2025 to link up with Jon Rahm's Legion XIII alongside Tyrrell Hatton and Caleb Suratt.

It was reported that he penned a multi-year deal worth at least $5m, although that figure is unsubstantiated.

At the time, the decision was considered a tad surprising, given he had only just secured his first PGA Tour card and was placing his eligibility for the European Ryder Cup team in jeopardy.

"Joining LIV Golf was the right decision for me at the time, and I'm grateful for everything it has given me," McKibbin wrote on Instagram.

"I've taken time to think about what's best for me, and I am confident this is the right decision to help me achieve my goals."

McKibbin joins a growing list of players to confirm that they will not be part of LIV's new era.

LIV Golf chief executive Scott O'Neil has given players a soft deadline of 25 October to confirm whether they want to be part of a re-imagined version of the league.

LIV players have been offered equity as part of the new version of the league.

Rahm is the highest-profile player to depart, with the two-time major champion reportedly giving up £75m ($100m) as part of a separation agreement.

In recent days, Hatton, Ian Poulter, Lucas Herbert, Thomas Pieters, Louis Oosthuizen, Branden Grace, Adrian Meronk, Abraham Ancer and Charles Howell III have confirmed they will be moving on.

Poulter said he intends to transition to playing senior golf whilst supporting his two sons as they pursue careers in the sport. 

Former Open champion Oosthuizen described his decision to leave as the toughest of his career, adding that the proposed 2.0 schedule was going to be tough to manage. 

Former Masters champion Sergio Garcia has also had his contract terminated, although Europe's record points scorer in the Ryder Cup could yet decide to remain with LIV.

Such a prospect does seem unlikely, though, given recent developments.

Garcia, 46, has laid bare his aspirations to return to the European team in 2027 and has already told captain Luke Donald he intends to try to qualify for the team automatically.

As for McKibbin, he, too, will believe he has every chance of making his Ryder Cup debut.

He was poached by Rahm and LIV after a strong season on the DP World Tour.

Rather than accept a PGA Tour card, he chose to join LIV.

He is also the mentee of Rory McIlroy.

The pair grew up playing at Holywood Golf Club in County Down.

McIlroy previously revealed that he advised McKibbin against the switch.

"Look, I said to him, if I were in your shoes, I would make a different choice than the one you’re thinking of making," McIlroy said in January 2025.

"I think 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."

During his time on LIV, McKibbin played in five majors, making just one cut at the 2025 PGA Championship.

He never won an individual title with LIV, but racked up more than $18m in official prize money.

He's currently ranked No. 67 on Data Golf and posted two top-six finishes on LIV Golf in 2026.