Jon Rahm’s wish has been granted (Image: Getty Images)
has finally secured the Callaway staff player he had been keen on, following Tom McKibbin’s recent announcement of his move to ‘s Legion XIII team.
The 30-year-old captain was dealt a significant setback when his team lost Kieran Vincent due to relegation in 2024, with the Zimbabwean finishing 54th in the league standings.
Back in October, Rahm expressed his desire to fill the vacant spot with a Callaway staff player, hinting at his future aspirations to collaborate with the brand.
Rahm’s wish for a Callaway star in Legion XIII has now come true as McKibbin, often touted as ‘the next ‘, confirmed his switch to LIV. The 22-year-old Northern Irishman earned his card thanks to his stellar performances on the DP World Tour in 2024.
However, the young talent opted not to align with the prestigious banner. Spanish outlet reported in January that he was nearing a move to the lucrative LIV league, also noting that McKibbin was high on Rahm’s recruitment list following Vincent’s exit from Legion XIII.
This development follows reports from in December, citing LIV sources, that one of the ten players who received their PGA Tour card at the DP World Tour Championship in November had been approached by the Saudi-backed setup. This new addition will undoubtedly be a welcome one for Rahm, especially considering McKibbin has been part of Team Callaway for over a year.
In January 2024, McKibbin expressed his excitement about testing new Callaway and Odyssey products with the Tour team over the winter. He said: “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.”
Tom McKibbin has joined LIV Golf (Image: Getty Images)
Like McIlroy, McKibbin sharpens his skills at Holywood Golf Club and has received high praise from his compatriot due to his impressive performances on the course.
After McKibbin secured his PGA card in November, McIlroy commented: “I was looking at the leader board and I saw Tom got in the top 10 and I thought okay, good.
“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.”
However, instead of playing on the PGA Tour, McKibbin recently chose to join the lucrative LIV banner, teaming up with Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton and Caleb Surrat for the 2025 season. It was announced on Wednesday (January 29) that McKibbin made the move, and he will tee off at LIV’s inaugural event in Riyadh on Thursday (February 6).
Last month, McIlroy expressed his disappointment when McKibbin was about to sign with LIV, stating that if he were in McKibbin’s shoes, he would choose to stay with the PGA Tour.
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.”
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