McKibbin has no LIV regrets despite funding shock
Tom McKibbin insists he has "no regrets at all" about joining LIV Golf even as the tour faces major financial uncertainty following the announcement that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) will withdraw its funding at the end of the year. Northern Ireland's McKibbin opted to forgo the PGA Tour card he secured in late 2024 when he joined Jon Rahm's Legion XIII LIV team last year. Speaking before this week's US PGA Championship at Aronimink outside Philadephia the 23‑year‑old says he remains committed to the breakaway circuit and happy with the decision he made.
"No, not at all - I don't regret it one bit," said McKibbin. "The last year and a half has been great. Getting to spend time with Jon [Rahm] and Tyrrell [Hatton], playing with some of the best guys in the world.
"I feel like I've improved a lot in different aspects of my game and more comfortable I am. I've really enjoyed it. " Troublesome toe forces McIlroy to halt US PGA practice McIlroy and Rahm grouped together - US PGA tee-times McKibbin, who is yet to claim an individual win on the LIV circuit, admits players were caught off guard by last month's funding announcement.
"It was a little bit of a shock to everyone but going forward I think Scott [O'Neil, LIV Golf CEO] has done a good job, and hopefully going forward he'll be able to find some funding elsewhere and hopefully let it continue. "The events are great, the set-up is great, and I've really enjoyed it. Hopefully it continues for a while.
" McKibbin insists he has not been unsettled by the noise surrounding LIV's future, with his focus fixed on his sixth major championship appearance. He finished tied 50th on his US PGA Championship debut at Quail Hollow last year and missed the cut in first Masters appearance last month. While he is yet to contend at one of golf's biggest events, he feels the experience gained by testing himself on some of the most demanding courses in the world will benefit him in the future.