Tom McKibbin Joins Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII for LIV Golf Season Opener

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Tom McKibbin, a 22-year-old golfer from Northern Ireland, has officially joined Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII team, marking the final roster move ahead of LIV Golf’s 2025 season opener in Riyadh. McKibbin, who hails from the same club as Rory McIlroy, will make his LIV Golf debut next week under the lights in Saudi Arabia.

Legion XIII, LIV Golf’s first expansion team, enjoyed a standout 2024 season with four team tournament wins, including their inaugural victory at Mayakoba. The team’s success was anchored by Rahm, who won twice and claimed the season-long Individual Championship, and Tyrrell Hatton, who secured one win and finished fourth in the points standings. Caleb Surratt, who turned pro at 19 to join the team, and Kieran Vincent, who earned his spot through the 2023 Promotions tournament, rounded out the lineup. Vincent’s relegation after finishing 54th in points opened the door for McKibbin.

Rahm emphasized McKibbin’s global experience as a key factor in his selection. “Tom is used to traveling the world, which I think is a big key,” Rahm said. “One of the reasons why maybe Caleb had not a good year last year compared to his standards was the fact that he had to travel so much, and he wasn’t used to it. Tom is definitely used to it.”

McKibbin, ranked No. 106 in the Official World Golf Ranking, earned his PGA Tour card via the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai last fall but opted to join LIV Golf instead. His decision surprised McIlroy, who advised him against the move. “I said to him, ‘If I were in your shoes, I would make a different choice,’” McIlroy said. “Working so hard to get your Tour card in the States, to achieve that goal last year was a big achievement.”

Despite McIlroy’s reservations, McKibbin’s addition bolsters Legion XIII’s lineup, which now boasts an average age of 26.25, nearly four years younger than any other LIV team. Rahm expressed optimism about the team’s future, particularly with McKibbin and Surratt, the league’s two youngest players. “On paper, we could be even stronger this year than we were last year,” Rahm said. “This could be Legacy Legion XIII for a long time.”

Legion XIII enters the 2025 season with high expectations, aiming to build on their 2024 success. The team’s mix of proven winners and young talent positions them as a formidable contender in LIV Golf’s competitive landscape.