Why McKibbin ignored McIlroy's LIV Golf warning

Tom McKibbin has brushed aside warnings from his mentor Rory McIlroy about joining LIV Golf, citing its appeal to younger players and its different format as key reasons for his decision.

The Northern Irishman will be make his LIV Golf debut on Thursday under the lights at Riyadh Golf Club, with a $25 million purse on offer.

His choice to move to Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII team, however, has sparked debate within the golfing world, particularly due to concerns raised by McIlroy about the potential sacrifices involved.

McIlroy, who has long been a vocal critic of LIV Golf, did not shy away from expressing his disappointment at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic last month.

"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," McIlroy said last month before McKibbin's signing was announced.

"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."

For McKibbin, the decision was not without consideration of McIlroy’s advice, but he ultimately felt the opportunity to join the Saudi-backed circuit was too good to turn down.

"It was definitely in my mind, but to me, I wasn't in any of those (majors) anyway," McKibbin said.

"Again, the opportunity to get to play with guys out here more often, more consistently was definitely a huge factor.

"But I think I wasn't in — I'm not in those majors anyway at the minute, so it really didn't bother me too much."

Without guaranteed entry to events like The Masters or The Open, McKibbin saw little downside to embracing LIV Golf’s 54-hole tournaments that puts a major focus on team golf.

"I liked the whole concept of everything, as I said, something from a younger age standpoint is something that — I sort of liked the atmosphere of it," McKibbin said. "It was something cool and something new to me and something I'm very much looking forward to."

McKibbin will play alongside two-time Major winner Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, and Caleb Surratt this season.