LIV Golf star who ignored Rory McIlroy makes history after banking £4.4m

Tom McKibbin was seemingly right to ignore Rory McIlroy's advice on choosing the PGA Tour over LIV Golf. That's because the Legion XIII star has made almost £4.4million since joining the breakaway league, as per reports.

In his maiden season on the circuit, McKibbin managed to finish 20th in the individual standings, retaining his place for 2026. He also tasted victory on five occasions, teaming up with Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton and Caleb Surratt to win in Riyadh, Mexico City, Andalucía and the UK, as well as August's coveted Team Championship. The latter offered a staggering £10.6m first-place prize, with players splitting 40 per cent of the pool while the team took the remainder.

As a result, McKibbin bolstered his bank balance by around £1m to take his total seasonal earnings up to £4.4m - when winnings from the other tournaments are taken into account. Speaking about his maiden season with LIV, McKibbin said in August: "It's been an incredible year. Getting to spend it with these three guys has been incredible.

"I've learned so much. Just being around them has been really good. The whole year's been special and today was a really cool day to sort of go out there. You're out there on your own, but you're playing for three other guys. For us to come out on top first year is really cool."

However, the 22-year-old's year could have played out far different if he had heeded McIlroy's advice before securing his place with LIV. McKibbin earned a PGA Tour card as a result of finishing in the top 10 of the DP World Tour's Race to Dubai rankings last year, alongside the likes of Rasmus Hojgaard and Thriston Lawrence.

And as per reports, McIlroy took the time to instil some of his wisdom in his fellow Northern Irishman, given the two began their respective careers at the famed Holywood Golf Club. Speaking about the conversations they had in January, McIlroy said: "I think he's got a ton of potential.

"I said to him, if I were in your shoes, I would make a different choice than the one you're thinking of making.' Working so hard to get your tour card in the States, something that he did, to achieve that goal last year was a big achievement.

"I think what he potentially is sacrificing and giving up with access to majors, potential Ryder Cup spot, if I were in his position and I had his potential, which I think I have been before, I wouldn't make that decision."

He added: "Personally for me it would be a little disappointing if it were to happen. But I made it perfectly clear: I am not going to stand your way if you need to make the decision you feel like you need to make for yourself. At the same time, I feel like he's giving up a lot to not really benefit that much."

McKibbin ultimately decided to snub the PGA Tour to play for LIV Golf, and the rest is history - with the talent now looking to qualify for the Masters and The Open. The Legion star is currently chasing glory at the Hong Kong Open at Fanling, with the two major tournaments affording invites to a series of national winners.

As he doesn't receive ranking points through LIV Golf, exemptions, invites and qualifying are the only routes for major tournaments for the 2026 majors, and a win in Hong Kong could see him grace the glorious greens of Augusta for the first time in April.

McKibbin was off to a flying start on Thursday's opening day of play in Hong Kong, hitting a sensational course record of 60 to shave a shot off Aaron Rai's best of 61 he shot in 2018. The tournament runs until Sunday, November 2.