Tom McKibbin refused to be drawn on speculation that he is poised to join LIV Golf, when asked in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. The Newtownabbey man, 22, has been strongly linked with a move to Jon Rahm's Legion XIII for 2025 despite earning the last PGA Tour card on offer to DP World Tour members last November.

The Newtownabbey man is reportedly ready to join Tyrrell Hatton and Caleb Surratt on Rahm's four man team for the start of the LIV season in Riyadh on February 6. It is believed the switch would net McKibbin a cool €8m from the Saudi Arabia backed association.

McKibbin is currently ranked 110 in the world. Dean Burmester of South Africa is ranked five places below McKibbin and made the move to LIV. In his 27 LIV Golf starts, Burmester has earned over $17 million. McKibbin had guaranteed himself a PGA Tour card in the US for 2025 which would mean a huge increase on his earnings from the DP World Tour in recent years.

READ MORE: NI golf course gets Top 10 ranking in best 100 parkland courses list

READ NEXT: Premier League darts line-up confirmed with Belfast up first in schedule

World number one Scottie Scheffler topped the PGA Tour winnings list for 2024 with almost $30million US dollars. The average winnings from all players on the PGA Tour was $2,109,985 in 2024 so McKibbin was set for a lucrative career either way.

But with specualation suggesting he could earn €8m just for making the move to LIV, 22-year-old McKibbin appears to have had his head turned.

The negatives are the potential hit in world ranking points as well as missing out on some major events like the Ryder Cup as a result.

Former world No. 4 Graeme McDowell is currently ranked 1248 in the world with LIV's tournaments not being rewarded with OWGR accreditation.

McDowell defected to LIV in 2022 but has not played in a major since teeing up in the inaugural Saudi-backed league’s event in the summer of the same year. The 45-year-old has earned over $9million in prize money in his 34 LIV starts but his success hasn’t correlated to his position in the Official World Golf Rankings.

“It’s disappointing not to have more access to the majors,” McDowell said. “LIV are working really hard behind the scenes to continue to get us access to the major events which I believe we deserve access to them.

“Whether that be winners out here or top five in the money list, not already exempt. I’m hoping they’re going to come to us with some pretty good news. Fingers crossed. If you win on the PGA Tour you get exempt for various majors. You’re telling me a win out here is not similar... people will believe it is not of similar stature but I believe it is, if not better than some PGA Tour events."

McKibbin was asked about the speculation on a move to LIV in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, where is a part of the 10-strong Great Britain and Ireland team that is competing in this week's Team Cup.

It is a preparatory event for the Ryder Cup for predominantly young players who have a chance of making Luke Donald's European team, with Donald selecting those who are participating.

"I'm not going to make any comments this week out of respect for Justin (Rose) and Luke and this tournament," McKibbin told Golf Digest Middle East. "It's a team event so I'm just trying to give my best to the team and see how many points I can get."

READ MORE: Rory McIlroy in planning row over 'modest' expansion plans at £9million UK mansion

READ MORE: Iconic £30 million Irish course hits the market offering a slice of golfing paradise

McKibbin, who grew up playing in Holywood GC - Rory McIlroy's home club - added that he wanted to play in the Ryder Cup. A move to LIV could be an obstacle to that ambition in the short term, with only DP World Tour players eligible for the European team.

But McIlroy and Shane Lowry are among the top European players who want to see Rahm participate in the tournament at Bethpage in September, so there could be a chance to the rules before then.

"It was a goal of mine at the start of last year to be part of this event," he stated, referring to the Team Cup. "I haven't played any team golf as a pro. I played a little bit as an amateur so really excited to be part of a team and looking forward to the week."

Donald later told Gulf News: “Tom has to make the decisions that he feels are best for him. I talked to Tom and he’s very much looking forward to this week, looking forward to playing for Justin, looking forward to try and impress me and contribute to the team. Nothing changes there.”

Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox