Rory McIlroy gave a heartfelt public address to his friend Tom McKibbin warning him against moving to LIV Golf.

McKibbin is considering leaving the PGA Tour for the riches of the Saudi Arabia-backed tour, leaving fellow Northern Irishman McIlroy ‘disappointed’ by the impending switch.

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Rory McIlroy has taken emerging star and fellow Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin under his wingCredit: Getty
The four-time major winner has acted as an adviser to 22-year-old McKibbin since the young star emerged through the junior ranks at the Holywood Golf Club near Belfast, where McIlroy also broke through into the sport.

Despite recently earning his PGA Tour card for the 2025 season on the final day of the DP World Tour campaign, LIV Golf has attracted McKibbin’s attention.

Speaking publicly about McKibbin’s conundrum, McIlroy gave a three-minute speech on the situation, revealing he has already held multiple conversations with his friend.

“Personally for me it would be a little disappointing if it were to happen,” McIlroy said ahead of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

“But I made it perfectly clear, I am not going to stand in 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 is expected to scoop a whopping $5m signing on fee alone to defect to LIV Golf.

Whilst the sums of money on offer might prove too difficult to turn down, McIlroy believes the financial benefits are not worth the sacrifice.

“No one knows exactly how much he’s going to get,” McIlroy added.

“What I would say is, there is still a ton of money to be made on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour. There is so much money in the game, and some would argue too much money in the game for the eyeballs that we attract.

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McIlroy could not hide his disappointment when discussing McKibbin’s possible switch to LIV GolfCredit: Getty
“I think that for whatever the benefit may be, I don’t think it’s worth the sacrifice to what he’s potentially going to give up.”

There would, however, be one drawback for McKibbin should he make the switch.

He would no longer be able to earn world ranking points playing LIV’s 14 tournament schedule, making his hopes of qualifying for majors and the Ryder Cup a more difficult task.

“I think he’s got a ton of potential,” McIlroy continued. “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.”

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McIlroy is ready to defend his Dubai desert classic title this weekCredit: Getty
McIlroy’s comment coincided with McKibbin’s appearance at the pre-tournament pro-am in Dubai.

The event could be McKibbin’s final appearance on the DP World Tour ahead of the the start of the LIV golf season in February.

“I have known Tom since he was 10, 11 years old, and as soon as he got the offer, he rang me,” McIlroy told reporters.

“I talked to him multiple times over the course of December to get a feel for what he was thinking, and basically what he was going to do.

“And all I could do is give my perspective. 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.”