Northern Irish golf star that defied Rory McIlroy continues to rack up cash

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Tom McKibbin managed to bank £100,000 for his efforts at LIV Golf Virginia.

The 22-year-old joined the rival tour in January of this year, despite five-time major champion Rory McIlroy warning him against relinquishing his PGA Tour Card in order to make the move.

However, the younger Northern Irishman chose to defy his fellow Holywood golfer and signed for the breakaway league amid a reported £4million offer. "If I were in his position, I wouldn't make that decision," the Masters champ said after McKibbin announced his decision to sign for LIV.

While he had to sacrifice his PGA involvement, and potential major opportunities, it's been a financially successful career choice so far by Belfast-born McKibbin, who is estimated to have earned £3.4m from just eight tournaments this season.

His 2025 earnings received a bump after the latest LIV event. Taking place at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, it was won by Joaquin Niemann.

It wasn't McKibbin's best performance as he could only finish tied-38th in the 53-strong field. But despite his lowly rank, he still managed to rake in $136,250 (£100k).

His previous admission that he had no doubts about making the move to LIV certainly makes sense given the amount of money he's already earned, while he's praised the level of talent he's been able to challenge himself against.

"I've been very, very lucky to play with a lot of very good players so far this year and I've definitely seen my golf game improve, playing tough courses like [Florida course] Doral," he told the Irish Independent. "So it's definitely prepared me a little bit better.

"Yeah, I'm very happy. I've been very lucky to play with a lot of great players who have done well in these major championships and play against them.

"I've obviously been playing with Jon [Rahm] in a lot of practice rounds, and then on tournament days as well, so to see how they play the game and how they take on golf courses, it's been very eye-opening."

McKibbin reunited with McIlroy at the PGA Championship last month and admitted before the tournament that the pair are on good terms, and he'd even sent his compatriot congratulatory texts after his victory at Augusta.