Rory McIlroy tries to convince talented player not to join LIV Golf

Rory Mcilroy has been living with the feud between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf for years, which has caused a rupture in professional golf, and Rory Mcilroy is delighted to be able to “Focus on golf,” as he explained during a press conference at the Dubai Desert Classic on Wednesday.

But even as the four-time Grand Slam champion is ready to move on, the chaos is far from over, as questions continue to arise, talented players continue to join upstart leagues, and he keeps being pulled back into the fray.

But McIlroy is particularly interested in one player who is rumored to be considering joining LIV: Northern Ireland pro Tom McKibbin.

The 22-year-old rising star grew up playing on the same course at Holywood Golf Club as McIlroy. Last season on the DP World Tour, McKibbin finished 18th at the Race to Dubai, earning a PGA Tour card in the process.

But McKibbin now reportedly plans to give up his tour privileges and join LIV instead. Of course, reporters asked McIlroy about everything going on in Dubai, and Rory had plenty of thoughts to share.

McIlroy revealed that when Mike essentially received the initial offer from LIV, the first thing he did was call McIlroy for advice.

“I know Tom [McKibbin] Because he was 10, 11 years old and as soon as he got the job offer, he called me,” McIlroy said Wednesday. “We had a really good conversation. I had multiple conversations with him throughout December to get a sense of what he was thinking and obviously – you know, yeah, basically what he was going to do. What I could do Just giving my point of view.

When McKibbin seemed inclined to give up his Tour card in exchange for a spot on LIV, McIlroy began to advise him against it.

“I said to him, if I were in your situation, I would make different choices than what you want to do. I think, you know, working hard to get a tour card in the U.S., what he did last year, Achieving this goal is a huge achievement.

McIlroy said other “sacrifices” he would give up if McKibbin joined LIV include “getting into the majors” and “a potential Ryder Cup berth.”

McIlroy also made it clear that there was nothing “official” yet, and his advice was not offered as a criticism.

Instead, he heaped praise on the young Northern Ireland star, saying: “I really like Tom as a person, as a player. I think he has a lot of potential.” He also said McKibbin was in discussions “Very willing to listen to my point of view.”

Even so, McIlroy reiterated that if he had the same choice, he would not make the decision to join LIV, but instead start his own career on the PGA Tour.

“If I were in his position and I had his potential, which I think I’ve had before, I wouldn’t have made this decision,” McIlroy said. “But I’m not him. I’m not his position. He’s an adult now and can make his own decisions. All I can do is try to express my point of view to him.

While McIlroy admitted he would be “disappointed” if McKibbin went to LIV, he revealed he would not stop the young pro from doing what he believes is best for his career.

“I’ll make it very clear: If you need to make the decision that you feel you need to make, I’m not going to be in your shoes,” McIlroy explained, before adding, “But at the same time, I feel He, you know, gave up a lot and didn’t really gain anything.

McIlroy has a total of 18 wins on the DP World Tour and has won the Dubai Desert Classic four times, including his first professional title in 2009. and championship in 2024.

” >