TOM MCKIBBIN HAS quit LIV Golf, following Ian Poulter and Tyrrell Hatton’s earlier departures from the ailing breakaway league.
The Newtownabbey native says he will play a full schedule on the DP World Tour next year.
McKibbon won the European Open in 2023 before defecting for the Saudi-backed tour in January 2025. He joined the ‘Legion XIII’ team alongside Jon Rahm, Hatton, and Caleb Surratt.
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McKibbin said in a statement: “After two seasons with Legion XIII, I have decided not to sign with LIV Golf for its next chapter. I will be playing a full schedule on the DP World Tour in 2027.
After two seasons with Legion XIII, I have decided not to sign with LIV Golf for its next chapter. I will be playing a full schedule on the DP World Tour in 2027.
Joining LIV Golf was the right decision for me at the time, and I'm grateful for everything it has given me. Playing alongside Jon, Tyrrell and Caleb taught me more than I could have imagined. Thank you to them, the team staff and everyone at LIV Golf for making me feel at home from day one.
I've taken time to think about what's best for me and I am confident this to is the right decision to help me achieve my goals.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the last two years. See you in 2027.
“Joining LIV Golf was the right decision for me at the time, and I’m grateful for everything it has given me. Playing alongside Jon, Tyrrell, and Caleb taught me more than I could have imagined. Thank you to them, the team staff, and everyone at LIV Golf for making me feel at home from day one.
“I’ve taken time to think about what’s best for me and I am confident this to is the right decision to help me achieve my goals.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the last two years. See you in 2027.”
Earlier, Poulter said it was a “tough decision” to leave but he would relish “the opportunity to spend more time at home with my family, reduce international travel, focus on senior golf and have the opportunity to pursue other interests.”
Ian Poulter is leaving LIV Golf. Alamy Stock Photo
Hatton, in a much more brief statement, wrote on his Instagram story: “Wanted to confirm that I will not be a part of LIV 2.0. A big thank you to everyone for their continued support. I am excited for what the next chapter of my career holds.”
Their statements followed Louis Oosthuizen earlier this week announcing his intention to return to the DP World Tour next year.
Major champions Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia have already confirmed their golfing futures lie elsewhere.
LIV is attempting to relaunch in 2027 as LIV 2.0 with new money from BC Partners Capital after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund withdrew its support after ploughing in five billion US dollars (€4.42bn) over four years.
To do that it has had to apply for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and, as a result, it has had to cancel the contracts of all its existing players, clearly in the hope that they will re-sign on new terms.
However, Poulter will not be among them. He insisted he had no regrets about moving to the rival tour, which split the sport down the middle and continues to cause friction between opposing players.
The DP World Tour has confirmed it will be taking a tougher line and that any player signing with the new-look LIV will be ineligible for membership and therefore ruled out of Ryder Cup contention.
Poulter added: “Clearly LIV Golf has divided opinion, but to be part of the founding group who took world-class golf around the globe… is something I will be forever proud of.
“Change is never easy and it’s fair to say professional golf has experienced plenty of it over the last few years. But I’ve always believed that change can create opportunities and ultimately lead to positive outcomes.”
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McKibbin quits LIV Golf for DP World Tour return, Hatton and Poulter confirm exits
LAST UPDATE | 23 Oct
TOM MCKIBBIN HAS quit LIV Golf, following Ian Poulter and Tyrrell Hatton’s earlier departures from the ailing breakaway league.
The Newtownabbey native says he will play a full schedule on the DP World Tour next year.
McKibbon won the European Open in 2023 before defecting for the Saudi-backed tour in January 2025. He joined the ‘Legion XIII’ team alongside Jon Rahm, Hatton, and Caleb Surratt.
McKibbin said in a statement: “After two seasons with Legion XIII, I have decided not to sign with LIV Golf for its next chapter. I will be playing a full schedule on the DP World Tour in 2027.
“Joining LIV Golf was the right decision for me at the time, and I’m grateful for everything it has given me. Playing alongside Jon, Tyrrell, and Caleb taught me more than I could have imagined. Thank you to them, the team staff, and everyone at LIV Golf for making me feel at home from day one.
“I’ve taken time to think about what’s best for me and I am confident this to is the right decision to help me achieve my goals.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the last two years. See you in 2027.”
Earlier, Poulter said it was a “tough decision” to leave but he would relish “the opportunity to spend more time at home with my family, reduce international travel, focus on senior golf and have the opportunity to pursue other interests.”
Hatton, in a much more brief statement, wrote on his Instagram story: “Wanted to confirm that I will not be a part of LIV 2.0. A big thank you to everyone for their continued support. I am excited for what the next chapter of my career holds.”
Their statements followed Louis Oosthuizen earlier this week announcing his intention to return to the DP World Tour next year.
Major champions Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia have already confirmed their golfing futures lie elsewhere.
LIV is attempting to relaunch in 2027 as LIV 2.0 with new money from BC Partners Capital after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund withdrew its support after ploughing in five billion US dollars (€4.42bn) over four years.
To do that it has had to apply for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and, as a result, it has had to cancel the contracts of all its existing players, clearly in the hope that they will re-sign on new terms.
However, Poulter will not be among them. He insisted he had no regrets about moving to the rival tour, which split the sport down the middle and continues to cause friction between opposing players.
The DP World Tour has confirmed it will be taking a tougher line and that any player signing with the new-look LIV will be ineligible for membership and therefore ruled out of Ryder Cup contention.
Poulter added: “Clearly LIV Golf has divided opinion, but to be part of the founding group who took world-class golf around the globe… is something I will be forever proud of.
“Change is never easy and it’s fair to say professional golf has experienced plenty of it over the last few years. But I’ve always believed that change can create opportunities and ultimately lead to positive outcomes.”
- Additional reporting by Press Association.
Exit Golf Ian Poulter liv golf October tom mckibbin