Tom McKibbin delivers LIV Golf verdict as he banks another huge sum 

The Belfast golfer has now won a staggering $5.77 million since going against Rory McIlroy’s advice to join the the Saudi-backed LIV tour in January

Tom McKibbin has hailed his first year on the LIV Golf tour as “incredible” after winning the team Championship with Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII in Michigan on Sunday.

The Belfast golfer went against Rory McIlroy ’s advice to take up his PGA Tour card ast November and, instead, joined the Saudi-backed tour in January.

However, his decision has been somewhat vindicated as he helped his team earn a play-off in Sunday’s season decider against Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers.

Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton then defeated DeChambeau and Paul Casey on the second play-off hole to clinch the title and the $14 million first prize.

As was the case last season, 60 per cent of the winnings go back to the team with the remaining 40 per cent split between the four players – meaning McKibbin will pocket $1.4 million along with Rahm, Hatton and Caleb Surratt.

Sunday’s victory brings McKibbin’s season earnings to an whopping $5.77 million.

“It’s been an incredible year,” said McKibbin.

“Getting to spend it with these three guys has been incredible. I’ve learned so much. Just being around them has been really good. The whole year’s been special and today was a really cool day to sort of go out there. You’re out there on your own, but you’re playing for three other guys. For us to come out on top first year is really cool.”

McKibbin finished his rookie season 20th in the LIV individual standings, ahead of teammates Surratt and Hatton, and is in the ‘lock zone’ meaning his place with LIV is secure for another year.

He feels that playing alongside Rahm and Hatton this season has improved his game with Legion XIII winning five team events this year while the Spaniard also claimed the individual title last week.

“I think getting to spend time with Jon and Tyrrell, I’ve definitely learned a lot from them,” McKibbin added.

“And then I think getting paired with some of the other guys and stuff throughout the tournaments, people that you’ve watched on TV or grew up watching, I’m getting to learn from them.

“I think some of the golf courses as well were a little bit trickier than what I’d been used to, so sort of getting used to those and developing my game through that. So I think a lot of small things that add up to quite a big sort of difference.”