Tom McKibbin insists he has “no regrets at all” about joining LIV Golf even as the tour faces major financial uncertainty following the announcement that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) will withdraw its funding at the end of the year.
Northern Ireland’s McKibbin opted to forgo the PGA Tour card he secured in late 2024 when he joined Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII LIV team last year.
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Speaking before this week’s US PGA Championship at Aronimink outside Philadephia the 23‑year‑old says he remains committed to the breakaway circuit and happy with the decision he made.
“No, not at all – I don’t regret it one bit,” said McKibbin.
“The last year and a half has been great. Getting to spend time with Jon [Rahm] and Tyrrell [Hatton], playing with some of the best guys in the world.
“I feel like I’ve improved a lot in different aspects of my game and more comfortable I am. I’ve really enjoyed it.”
McKibbin, who is yet to claim an individual win on the LIV circuit, admits players were caught off guard by last month’s funding announcement.
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“It was a little bit of a shock to everyone but going forward I think Scott [O’Neil, LIV Golf CEO] has done a good job, and hopefully going forward he’ll be able to find some funding elsewhere and hopefully let it continue.
“The events are great, the set-up is great, and I’ve really enjoyed it. Hopefully it continues for a while.”
McKibbin insists he has not been unsettled by the noise surrounding LIV’s future, with his focus fixed on his sixth major championship appearance.
He finished tied 50th on his US PGA Championship debut at Quail Hollow last year and missed the cut in first Masters appearance last month.
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While he is yet to contend at one of golf’s biggest events, he feels the experience gained by testing himself on some of the most demanding courses in the world will benefit him in the future.
“They’re very different tests of golf compared to normal weeks.
“All the ones I have played have had their unique challenges. Pinehurst [at the 2024 US Open] was very severe on one side of the spectrum, then obviously the Open with the weather, the Masters is another.
“They’re all different in their own way and all provide a good test of golf.”
McKibbin plays alongside England’s Tyrrell Hatton on LIV’s Legion XIII team [Getty Images]
Missing the cut at the Masters – where his fellow countryman Rory McIlroy triumphed for the second straight year – has only fuelled his desire for more major opportunities.
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“It was a little bit of disappointing result wise but it was the first time I really played a tournament where I felt you need the experience,” explained McKibbin, who will attempt to secure his place at next month’s US Open in Monday’s 36-hole qualifier.
“The more you play that course, the more familiar you get. Hopefully I can be back again.”
On this week, McKibbin – who will play with former US Open champion Lucas Glover and Germany’s Stephan Jaeger in the first two rounds – is optimistic after assessing the challenge at Aronimink, which is hosting its first US PGA since 1962.
“I like the golf course,” he says.
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“It’s not too long, but definitely very penal if you’re off line. Around the greens it can get nasty. Hopefully I can keep it on the short stuff all week.”
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