by 
Talk here at the Team Cup – AKA the Ryder Cup dress rehearsal – has focused on the likelihood of Tom McKibbin joining LIV Golf and the revelation that the 22-year-old is set to receive an upfront payment of $5 million dollars (£4 million). just turn up the volume.
McKibbin is yet to confirm the impending decision, although, as Great Britain and Ireland captain Justin Rose said: “He hasn’t denied it either.”
Sources indicate that McKibbin has yet to officially sign the two-year contract, but that the deal has been reached in principle and that the Rory McIlroy protégé will join forces with Legion XIII, the LIV quartet led by Jon Rahm and also including Tyrrell Hatton.
It is little wonder, then, that Rose partnered Hatton and McKibbin at Abu Dhabi Golf Club in the first four-ball match and that on its first competitive outing the partnership duly accounted for Frenchmen Antoine Rozner and Julien Guerrier 3&2 then that GB&I took a 3½-1½ lead on the first day.
“It’s kind of become an issue of fairness, with no other agenda,” Rose said with a smirk.
Hatton was also unobtrusive, politely asking questions only regarding this week’s match and perhaps the 180 he recorded on the dartboard in the GB&I team room on Thursday evening. “What can I say, Luke ‘The Nuke’ [Littler] inspired a nation,” Hatton joked. “I celebrated it more than a hole-in-one. But I enjoyed playing with Tom today. We did really well as a team. We got along well.
For his part, McKibbin has sworn since Tuesday that “I will not talk about it out of respect for this event.” However, the Ulsterman admitted it was a relief to be on the ropes and away from all the intrigue. “It was good to get out and play and let my golf do the talking,” said McKibbin, who honed his skills at the same Holywood Golf Club as McIlroy.
Without a doubt, it has been a difficult few days for McKibbin, the world number 110 who won the European Open title last June. Not only are the DP World Tour brass in attendance, but Jordan Smith is also in the GB&I locker room. Credit to the 32-year-old from Bath for dealing so maturely with the McKibbin situation, as not everyone would be so understanding.
Two months ago, McKibbin beat Smith for the final PGA Tour card available to those not already exempt and who have finished in the top 10 of the DP World Tour order of merit.
By joining the Saudi-funded tour, McKibbin will be giving up his American player privileges. Had he signed before last week’s PGA Tour deadline, Smith would have received the career change card and the $500,000 minimum that comes with it. Surely Smith wouldn’t be human if there was no bitterness?
“Absolutely not,” Smith replied when asked after his final-hole victory with Laurie Canter against Danish duo Rasmus Hojgaard and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
“I mean, the only thing is I didn’t have a card and I don’t have a card so it doesn’t really change anything for me. Tom has to take care of himself, I have to take care of myself. We get along very well. We play darts together, we have dinner together, we could even play together here, that would be totally fine.
