Tom McKibbin had said he is excited to make his debut on LIV Golf after moving to join Jon Rahm’s team Legion XIII.
The tour’s season-opener will be played under floodlights in Riyadh – starting Thursday, finishing Saturday – with team leader Rahm speaking highly of McKibbin’s arrival to his team.
“It’s been really cool just to see this whole new environment, especially night golf this week. It’s been pretty cool the last couple of nights playing in the dark,” McKibbin said.
“Obviously being young and 22. I’ve watched this for the last couple years since it started, and it’s something that I’ve really liked to watch, something very different, something that probably appeals to more people my age.
“I think sort of the opportunity to get to play with these guys here and learn from some of the best players in the world week in, week out is something that appealed very, very nicely to me.”
The Holywood man was asked about compatriot Rory McIlroy’s comments in Dubai about his move, how he would be potentially sacrificing playing in the Ryder Cup and Majors, which he said was “definitely in his mind”.
“But to me, I wasn’t in any of those 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.”
McKibbin’s hopes of making Majors were given a boost as the USGA has created an exemption category for LIV Golf players to compete in the US Open, making the tournament the first of golf’s four majors to introduce a formal pathway for golfers on the Saudi-backed circuit, it said on Wednesday.
One spot in the field will be awarded to a player who is not otherwise exempt and in the top three of LIV’s standings as of May 19th for this year’s tournament at Oakmont.
The exemption will increase to two players for next year’s US Open with the leading LIV Golf players from the final 2025 individual standings and the May cut-off point gaining entry. In both cases, the spots are for players not already exempt and among the top three in the standings.
“Consistent with our historical approach, we continuously evaluate talent levels on professional tours and in amateur events, which has led us to add a new exemption category,” John Bodenhamer, USGA chief championships officer, said.
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