Jon Rahm’s dreams have come ‘true’ (Image: Getty)
Jon Rahm has secured the Callaway staff player he had been keen on, as Tom McKibbin announced his move to Legion XIII side. , the 30-year-old team captain, was hit hard when his team lost Kieran Vincent to relegation in 2024, with the Zimbabwean finishing 54th in the league’s standings.
Back in October, Rahm expressed his desire to fill the vacancy with a Callaway staff player, hinting at his future plans to collaborate with the brand. Now, Rahm’s aspiration of bringing a Callaway star to Legion XIII has come ‘true’, with McKibbin often dubbed ‘the next ‘ confirming his switch to LIV.
The 22-year-old Northern Irishman earned his card following his impressive performances on the DP World Tour in 2024. However, the young talent decided against joining the prestigious banner.
In January, reported that he was nearing a move to the lucrative LIV league, noting that McKibbin was high on Rahm’s list of potential recruits following Vincent’s exit from Legion XIII. The development follows reports from LIV sources in December that one of the 10 players who received their PGA Tour card at the DP World Tour Championship in November had been approached by the Saudi-backed setup.
This acquisition will undoubtedly be a welcome news for Rahm, especially since McKibbin has been part of Team Callaway for over a year now, reports . In a statement from January 2024, McKibbin expressed his excitement about new beginnings: “I’ve been testing new Callaway and Odyssey products with the Tour team over the winter and I can’t wait to put my new equipment into competitive play. I’ve been a long-time fan of Callaway equipment and I’m confident I can take a big step forwards in my career using their clubs and golf ball.”
Sharpening his skills at Holywood Golf Club, just like McIlroy, McKibbin has consistently earned high praise for his remarkable performances. Reflecting on McKibbin securing his PGA card back in November, McIlroy lauded his compatriot’s achievement, saying: “I was looking at the leader board and I saw Tom got in the top 10 and I thought okay, good.”
Tom McKibbin has teamed up with LIV (Image: Getty Images)
He added: “When I was walking off the last, I didn’t see his name and I see him before I signed my card and he was congratulating me, and I didn’t want to ask I said, ‘yay or nay? ‘ And he said, ‘yes.’ I’m happy for him. That was a massive goal for him was to get one of those 10 cards and go play in America. Super happy for him.”
Despite expectations for him to join the PGA Tour, McKibbin made a groundbreaking decision by opting to sign with the lucrative LIV Golf series. It was confirmed on Wednesday (January 29) that McKibbin was set to join Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, and Caleb Surrat for the 2025 season.
His debut under the LIV banner is scheduled for the first event in Riyadh, kicking off on Thursday (February 6). McIlroy expressed his disappointment last month over McKibbin’s decision to join LIV Golf nearing, as reported by the . McIlroy shared his perspective, saying: “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’.
He continued: “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 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.”