Tom McKibbin is set to face a suspension (Image: Getty)
Tom McKibbin is set to face a suspension from the , but the penalty won’t take effect until he makes his first appearance on the circuit in Saudi Arabia next week. The Northern Irishman rounds off the LIV roster for 2025, having been signed by and Legion XIII this Wednesday.
It’s been a rollercoaster few months for the 22-year-old who recently secured his first-ever card on the PGA Tour for the upcoming season, earning comparisons to Rory McIlroy who had taken him under his wing.
McKibbin, one of Europe’s emerging talents, was among the top ten performers on the DP World Tour without a US card, earning him a spot on the PGA Tour membership list for 2025.
However, he has chosen to commit to the LIV setup, which means he will be barred from participating in PGA Tour events. According to Tour rules, any player competing on the LIV setup is given a suspension, and McKibbin will be no exception.
His situation is somewhat complex, as he only secured his card two months ago. has confirmed with the PGA Tour that McKibbin’s suspension won’t kick in until he takes part in an ‘unauthorised event’ on the breakaway circuit.
This approach has been adopted for most LIV members, with the first wave of bans announced just as the Saudi-backed league’s inaugural event kicked off at Centurion in June 2022. A different course of action was taken when McKibbin’s captain, Rahm, made the switch.
Tyrrell Hatton and Tom McKibbin will play together (Image: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Rahm’s suspension from the PGA Tour membership list occurred before he even had the opportunity to participate in the LIV setup, with the decision confirmed in a memo to players shortly after his switch was announced.
“In accordance with the PGA Tour Tournament Regulations, Jon Rahm has been notified that he is suspended and no longer eligible to participate in PGA Tour tournament play due to his association with a series of unauthorized tournaments,” the memo stated.
“This has resulted in adjustments to both the 2022-2023 FedEx Cup Playoffs and Eligibility Points List through the Playoffs and through the FedEx Cup Fall. Should any additional changes occur, the FedEx Cup Playoffs and Eligibility Points List will continue to update through the conclusion of the 2023 calendar year with final eligibility for the 2024 season being set on December 31, 2023.”
McKibbin will join forces with Rahm, as well as Tyrrell Hatton and Caleb Surratt, to complete the four-man Legion XIII roster. The Northern Irishman will make his debut in Legion colours next week at LIV’s opening event of 2025, held at Riyadh Golf Club.
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