Northern Ireland's Tom McKibbin consulted the world No. 3, who advised him to accept the PGA Tour card but the 22-year-old appears to be going to the rival circuit.

All the while, McIlroy will attempt to win a fifth career major after a 10-year drought filled with close calls. Recently, he has had second-place finishes at the past two U.S. Opens and one runner up at the 2022 Masters. There was also a heartbreaking third place behind winner Cam Smith at the 150th Open at St. Andrews.

Rory McIlroy believes LIV Golf bound Tom McKibbin is “giving up a lot to not really benefit that much” including an imminent chance to reach the world’s Top-10 if he leaves the PGA Tour.

Rory McIlroy has been a vocal critic of LIV Golf and former CEO Greg Norman in the past, but has now welcomed the appointment of new man Scott O'Neil in the hotseat

Scott O'Neil has been named as the new CEO of LIV Golf, replacing Greg Norman, who has held the position for the Saudi-backed league since its inception in 2021.

Two-time Open champion hands over day-to-day running of breakaway circuit to new boss Rory McIlroy reckons outgoing CEO Greg Norman was “probably one of the only people in golf who could have got LIV Golf off the ground”.

Don't join LIV Golf‘ - Tom McKibbin honed his game at the same Northern Ireland club as McIlroy but is set to turn his back on the PGA Tour

"We welcome Scott to the LIV Golf family, knowing he will capitalize on everything that has been accomplished over the past three years," said Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of Saudi

Rory McIlroy was asked about his reaction to Tom McKibbin's alleged decision to sign with LIV Golf, and his answer was nearly 3 minutes long.