Tour pro doubles down on Tom McKibbin's "terrible" decision to join LIV Golf

English tour pro Eddie Pepperell still believes Tom McKibbin made a mistake by joining LIV Golf. 

In 2024, McKibbin signed with the PIF-backed league, becoming part of Jon Rahm's Legion XIII alongside Tyrrell Hatton

The Irishman, 22, was famously advised by Masters champion and mentor Rory McIlroy to reject LIV's advances months after he secured his first PGA Tour card. 

McKibbin opted to ignore McIlroy's advice and perhaps now might consider his choice justified after his recent victory at the Hong Kong Open. 

The victory, played under the banner of the International Series on the Asian Tour, came with the added bonus of securing tee times at the 2026 Masters and The Open. 

Pepperell spoke about McKibbin's victory on the most recent edition of The Chipping Forecast. 

Podcast co-host, Andrew Cotter, suggested the golfer's decision to join LIV - understood to be worth $4-5m over two years - didn't turn out to be a bad one. 

"I would push back a little bit against that," Pepperell said. "I mean, he's having to shoot ... he's having to go and win in Hong Kong to get into The Masters. 

"Playing that level of golf, it wouldn't have taken him that long, I don't think, in America to have his world ranking to a level where he's going to be playing the majors. 

"He's clearly an excellent player [and] a brilliant prospect. I still wouldn't be sure that this is the best career move. 

"He's made a terrible decision. He's a brilliant young player and he should never have made that decision just for a few million quid."

What did Rory McIlroy say?

At the turn of the year, McIlroy said he would find it "personally disappointing" if his mentee made the switch. 

McIlroy said McKibbin was giving up a lot "not to really benefit that much". 

He was referencing McKibbin's future participation in the major championships and appearances on the European Ryder Cup team. 

LIV are still without accreditation for Official World Golf Ranking points, though there is optimism this may change in the future. 

The governing bodies of two majors (The Open and US Open) now have special exemptions for the leading LIV player. 

McKibbin won't be prohibited from making his Ryder Cup debut in 2027 but his pathway to qualifying for the blue and gold could prove tricky.

He needs to remain a member of the DP World Tour and play in at least four counting events. 

LIV players continue to be fined by the DP World Tour for competing in events in the PIF-backed league without tournament releases. 

LIV's financiers have been paying the fines but there is speculation this will change, leaving players like McKibbin vulnerable to making a tough decision: cough up or hand over their cards. 

Whatever happens, it will be interesting to see the situation unfold. 

McIlroy will have the opportunity to personally congratulate McKibbin this week. 

Both players are in the field at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. 

The tournament is the first leg of the DP World Tour's play-offs.