Tom McKibbin is turning his back on LIV Golf after two seasons and will fully commit to the DP World Tour again in 2027 – an announcement that is causing quite a stir in the golf world. The 23-year-old Northern Irishman announced his decision on Friday, shortly before the October 25 deadline by which LIV wanted to nail down players for its planned 2027 re-launch. McKibbin is making it clear: long-term career goals outweigh the quick LIV paycheck.
This decision doesn't come out of nowhere, as the future of LIV Golf currently resembles a wild rough. Following the withdrawal of the Saudi Public Investment Fund as financier and a Chapter 11 filing, LIV 2.0 is expected – with significantly smaller prize money and a clear statement from the DP World Tour: anyone who joins LIV 2.0 will not play on the European Tour in 2027. McKibbin is choosing the classic path back to old strength.
A Costly Departure
Financially, this is a tough cut. McKibbin was set to join Jon Rahm's Legion XIII in early 2025, after having turned down a PGA Tour promotion from his 2024 DP World Tour season. In two LIV seasons, he reportedly earned a hefty $18.7 million in prize money and team bonuses. However, the allure of big money doesn't seem to have satisfied his hunger for genuine competition. His roots are in Europe, where he secured victory at the Porsche European Open in 2023.
The Exodus Continues
McKibbin is not the only one to bail. A number of high-profile players, including Rahm himself, Tyrrell Hatton, Ian Poulter, and Adrian Meronk, have also decided against the next phase of LIV. DP World Tour Chief Executive Guy Kinnings recently stated unequivocally: anyone who chooses LIV 2.0 will no longer have a chance at DP World Tour membership in 2027. For McKibbin, returning to the DP World Tour is an opportunity to get his career back on track and pave his way to the top – even if it means leaving a hefty sum of money behind.
