Tom McKibbin has admitted that major championships and the Ryder Cup were not playing heavy on his mind when he decided to join LIV Golf.

The Northern Irish golfer shocked many, including his compatriot Rory McIlroy, when turning down a PGA Tour card to compete on the breakaway league.

McKibbin has signed a deal worth a reported £4million to join Jon Rahm's Legion XIII team, just two months after the 22-year-old secured a full spot on the PGA Tour thanks to a successful season on the DP World Tour last year.

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Prior to signing with LIV, McKibbin consulted with fellow Holywood Golf Club member McIlroy, who tried to convince the rising star to join him on the PGA Tour.

McIlroy, speaking last month, admitted to feeling disappointed that McKibbin chose to take LIV's offer and fears he has hampered his chances of qualifying for the four major championships and Ryder Cup later this year.

But McKibbin, talking ahead of getting his LIV career started in Saudi Arabia this week, has claimed that the majors and the Ryder Cup weren't the biggest deciding factor.

“It was in my mind but I wasn’t in any of those anyway," McKibbin said. "The opportunity to play with guys out here more consistently was a huge factor, but I am not in the majors anyway at the minute so that didn’t bother me.”

McKibbin believes joining LIV and being around the likes of his captain Rahm and teammate Tyrrell Hatton will accelerate his career.

“Just getting time with guys like Jon and Tyrrell," he continued. "Guys I haven’t got the opportunity to really play with before. I know when I have got a chance to play with better players before it has definitely helped my game.

"I learned a lot getting to spend time around those guys, and I think it is something that will help my game moving forward.”

McKibbin added: "I've watched this [LIV] for the last couple years since it started, and it's something that I've really liked to watch, something very different, something that probably appeals to more people my age.

"I think sort of the opportunity to get to play with these guys here and learn from some of the best players in the world week in, week out is something that appealed very, very nicely to me.

"I liked the whole concept of everything, as I said, something from a younger age standpoint is something that I sort of liked the atmosphere of it. It was something cool and something new to me and something I'm very much looking forward to."

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