LIV Golf looks set to poach the DP World Tour rising star who has been compared to superstar Rory McIlroy.
Two-time Grand Slam champion Jon Rahm has been looking for new additions to his XIII squad following Kieran Vincent's demotion.
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Many suspect Vincent's successor will be Tony Finau, who has a close friendship with Lahm and has been linked with a switch to the Saudi-backed joint venture in the past.
However, Finau's appearance at the PGA Tour season opener at Sentinel Field confirmed he won't be jumping ship, at least for now.
But Rahm appears to have found his latest team member in Golf Ten's highly rated Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin.
It's a coup for Rahm and LIV, as the 21-year-old McKibbin earned his PGA Tour card in November after finishing uncarded in the top 10 at the DP World Tour Battle of Dubai.
McKibbin has reportedly signed a multi-year deal and joins the XIII squad alongside Rahm, Tyrell Hatton and Caleb Surratt.
He will become the second Northern Ireland player to join LIV, following 2010 US Open champion Graeme McDowell in 2022.
During the 2024 season, McKibbin competed in 27 races and posted eight top-10 finishes.
The 21-year-old's best result last year was at the Italian Open, where he lost in a playoff to Germany's Marcel Sim.
McKibbin also played in his first major last year, finishing tied for 41st at the U.S. Open and tied for 66th at the British Open.
He also had a win, winning the 2023 European Open.
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Given McKibbin's nationality and huge prospects, he has been compared to McIlroy.
The pair have shared time on the fairways over the years and even played the first two rounds of the 2024 Irish Open together.
Speaking to the Belfast News, McIlroy was proud to have witnessed McKibbin's rise over the years and praised his compatriot's maturity.
“It's been amazing to see his journey, to see him go from being a little boy to being a European Tour champion and playing practice rounds with him in major tournaments… it's been really cool to feel like I've had a small part in that. What a cool ride,” McIlroy said.
“I try to help Tom whenever I feel he needs my help…I don't feel like he needs my help too much, but he knows if he has a question I'm on the other end of the phone.
“Whether it's Darren Clarke or G-Mac (Graeme McDowell) or some other guy who puts his arm around me, I never do it unless I really need to. would seek advice, and Tom seemed to do the same.
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“He knows what he needs to do and he's a very mature young man. He doesn't need a lot of advice from me, but he knows I'm here and I'm excited to play with him.”
Despite the hype and comparisons, McKibbin remains calm, insisting he pays little attention to the noise.
“It's a huge honor to be compared to Rory and guys like him,” McKibbin said in a Challenge Tour video.
“Obviously, he's a huge talent and an unbelievable golfer. I've heard that for years and I'm used to it. I didn't notice it or read anything about it.
“It's an honor to be compared, but it doesn't bother me at all. I don't really pay attention to it.”
The 2025 LIV golf season will kick off on February 6 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
