McIlroy Tries His Best To Change McKibbin’s Decision

4 weeks ago by Comments Off on McIlroy Tries His Best To Change McKibbin’s Decision

Reigning DP World Tour No. 1 Rory McIlroy revealed he tried his best to encourage fellow Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin not to give-up playing the PGA Tour for the riches of  LIV Golf.

McIlroy, who is also defending champion at this week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic, indicated he spoke to McKibbin at lenght to take the opportunity in making his debut this year on the PGA Tour and try to win on the Tour rather than take the money and sign with LIV.

News the recently-turned 22-year-old McKibbin is likely heading to LIV and not the PGA Tour broke just over a week ago but is yet to be confirmed given McKibbin was competing in last week’s Team Cup in Abu Dhabi while both players, as mentioned, are here this week in Dubai.

As such, and also out of courtesy to event organisers both in Abu Dhabi and here in Dubai, it is expected McKibbin’s signing will be all official early next week.

McIlroy sounded highly disappointed when asked by GolfByTourMiss here in Dubai his reaction to McKibbin’s signing and coming also for a first time back in Dubai following that emotional moment last November when both players embraced each other at the back of the 18th green on the final day of the final DP World Tour event of 2024 – McIlroy in becoming a six-time DP World Tour No. 1 and McKibbin earning full 2025 PGA Tour status.

“I have known Tom since he was 10 years old, 11 years old, and as soon as he got the offer, he rang me”, said McIlroy.

“I just landed in New Zealand. We had a really good conversation. And I talked to him multiple times over the course of December to sort of get a feel for, you know, what he was thinking, and obviously what — you know, yeah, basically what he was going to do. And all I could do is give my perspective.

“I really like Tom as a person, as a player. I think he’s got a ton of potential. 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. 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.

“I think what he potentially is sacrificing and giving up with access to majors, potential Ryder Cup spot, depending on, you know, how he would play, it just wouldn’t have been — you know, depending — look, I don’t think anything is official yet.

“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.

“But I’m not him. I’m not in his shoes. He’s a grown man at this point and can make his own decisions. All I can do is try to give him my perspective.

“Yeah, look, it would be — personally for me it would be a little disappointing if it were to happen but again, it’s not — I made it perfectly clear: I am not going to stand your way if you need to make the decision you feel like you need to make for yourself.

“But at the same time, I feel like he’s giving up a lot to not really benefit that much, you know”,

As a follow-up, McIlroy was asked McKibbin’s mood when he spoke with him, and if he sounded determined to leave for LIV.

“No, very open. Very open to hearing my perspective and I appreciated him calling me to get it, as well.”, said McIlroy.

“But again, as I said, at the end of the day, he has to make his own decision, and when he does, whatever way that goes, I’m always going to be a fan of his. I’m always going to try to help him in whatever way that I can.

“You know, whatever way he chooses to go, you know, he’s going to live with it, which is totally fine. I think we all see the potential that he has, and I definitely think he can be a Top-10 player in the world. But obviously his ranking won’t show that for the next couple years if he makes one decision over another”.

And McIlroy is not the only Irish golfer to question McKibbin’s expected LIV move with Ireland’s triple major-winning Padraig Harrington also on the same page as McIlroy when he spoke to Bunkered Magazine.

“Tom’s done what he needs to have done,” said Harrginton.

“Got through the Challenge Tour, won on (the DP World) Tour. Going very nicely. It’s an interesting one. He was set to go to the US  and everybody goes. He’s young and I think he still would have been better off learning to compete and win more in Europe and take a few starts in the States.

“At his age he might be thinking the money is very attractive, but to be honest he’s on a nice progression, it won’t make a difference to him. I don’t think it’s life-changing money for him. If you were an amateur with no status, jump at it. It guarantees your future. His future was pretty guaranteed anyway.

“It’s all about the reasoning behind it. If he is going, is he going because he thinks he’s getting more chances to win? If that’s the case – great, but the downside is it’s going to make it harder to make the Ryder Cup team and play in the majors.

“In his progression, that’s what we were looking at. More wins, Ryder Cup, playing majors, competing in majors. That certainly stalls that.

“If he goes and wins on LIV, he could get picked for the Ryder Cup side. As long as he plays well and wins. If you play good golf, it takes care of itself. But he seemed to be on a nice progression.”

 

 

 



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