Rory McIlroy subtly confirms talks about his LIV move

Rory McIlroy has subtly indicated his views on LIV Golf. Speaking to Flushing It, McIlroy referred to a lengthy conversation he had with Tom McKibbin recently.

Ahead of the Dubai Desert Classic, McIlroy spoke about Tom McKibbin, whom he has known since the latter was 10 years old. Both are from the same club in Northern Ireland. McIlroy confirmed that McKibbin is seriously considering joining LIV Golf. However, he said to him:

"If I were in your shoes, I would make a different choice than the one you're thinking of making. I think, you know, working so hard to get your Tour card in the States, something that he did, to achieve that goal last year was a big achievement.

McIlroy told Flushing It that McKibbin called him shortly after landing in New Zealand sometime in December last year. McIlroy immediately got a sense of what McKibbin was thinking and what he was planning to do. According to McIlroy, McKibbin has immense potential, and he advised him that he (Rory McIlroy) would have made a different choice than the one McKibbin is considering.

Mcllroy further told him:

"But if I were in his position and I had his potential, which I think I have been before, I wouldn't make that decision."

Rory McIlroy believes that professional golfers work incredibly hard to earn a PGA Tour card in the United States. He noted that Tom McKibbin achieved this milestone last year, which is a significant accomplishment in itself.

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Why the advice given by Rory McIlroy to Tom McKibbin makes sense

With the possibility of Tom McKibbin joining the LIV Golf League, McIlroy noted that McKibbin could potentially be sacrificing access to Majors and a potential Ryder Cup spot, depending on his performance. McIlroy also clarified that McKibbin’s decision to join LIV Golf is not yet confirmed.

In recent months, rumours about McIlroy himself joining the LIV Golf League have been circulating in the PGA circuit, becoming a hot topic among fans. However, with his latest comments about McKibbin, McIlroy has made it clear that he is staying with the PGA Tour and will continue to compete in other tours as well.

PGA: The Open Champoinship - Practice Round - Source: Imagn

As for McKibbin, after receiving such valuable advice from someone of Rory McIlroy’s stature, the final decision ultimately rests with him. As McIlroy pointed out, McKibbin is a grown man, and it’s his choice to make. However, it will undoubtedly be a challenging decision for McKibbin.

Just last year, McKibbin earned his PGA Tour card, and with the Ryder Cup on the horizon, the stakes are high. Can he make such a tough decision, one that could potentially make or break his young career? LIV Golf is notorious for targeting young talent, with Luis Masaveu being a recent example. However, Eugenio Chacarra, whom Masaveu replaced, is himself a young golfer who didn’t have his contract renewed after just one year with LIV Golf. Will McKibbin consider Chacarra’s experience before making his final decision?