MCKIBBIN LEAVES LIV GOLF TO FOCUS ON DP WORLD TOUR
Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin will leave LIV Golf and his Legions XIII team. (Photo: LIV Golf)
Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin is the latest player to confirm he will turn his back on LIV 2.0 and focus his attention on playing a full schedule on the DP World Tour in 2027.
The news comes after players like Ian Poulter, Louis Oosthuizen, Branden Grace following the likes of Major winner and McKibbin’s Legions XIII team captain Jon Rahm.
“After two seasons with Legion XIII, I have decided not to sign with LIV Golf for its next chapter. I will be playing a full schedule on the DP World Tour in 2027,” said McKibbin.
“Joining LIV Golf was the right decision for me at the time, and I’m grateful for everything it has given me. Playing alongside Jon, Tyrrell and Caleb taught me more than I could have imagined. Thank you to them, the team staff and everyone at LIV Golf for making me feel at home from day one.
“I’ve taken time to think about what’s best for me and I am confident this is the right decision to help me achieve my goals. Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the last two years. See you in 2027.”
McKibbin joined LIV in 2024 and at the time turned down an option to join the PGA Tour after qualifying through the DP World Tour. McKibbin never won an individual event on LIV but enjoyed team success as part of the Legion XIII line-up and won almost $20 million in prize money and bonuses. He also won last year’s Hong Kong Open, an event he was unable to defend this week due to a stomach bug.
McKibbin was one of eight players who paid fines and secured DP World Tour conditional release deals earlier this year that allowed him to play in Europe, including the likes of his home event, the Amgen Irish Open.
Poulter also published a statement confirming his decision to leave LIV. “I wanted everyone to hear it direct from me that I have decided not to move forward with being part of LIV 2.0.
“Needless to say, it was a decision and one I thought about and discussed at length with my family and team,” added Poulter, who will explore playing opportunities elsewhere, work on his YouTube channel and spend more time with his family.
Major South African winner Oosthuizen said of his departure: “I realised I have a lot more in me, and my biggest fear was that the schedule on LIV 2.0 would be tough to manage,” he explained.
“I feel I have a few more years of good, competitive golf left in me, and the only way to be really sharp and competitive is through a schedule I control.”