24 hours after Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin shot down rumours that he was joining Jon Rahm’s team on LIV Golf, he has been paired with Legion XIII member Tyrrell Hatton for Thursday’s practice round at the Team Cup.

The 22-year-old from Holywood, yesterday told Golf Digest Middle East, “I’m not going to make any comments this week out of respect for Justin [Rose] and Luke [Donald] and this tournament.

“It’s a team event, so I’m just trying to do my best for the team and see how many points I can get.”

If Tom is trying to keep under wraps a multi-year deal having been agreed with LIV Golf, this is surely the biggest hint that a transfer is actually on the cards!

McKibbin, who recently earned his PGA Tour card and grew up at the same golf club as Rory McIlroy, added yesterday that he wanted to play in the Ryder Cup. However, a move to LIV would be an obstacle to that ambition, with only DP World Tour players eligible for the European team.

McKibbin will be teaming up with Captain Justin Rose, Laurie Canter, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Aaron Rai, Jordan Smith, Matt Wallace, Paul Waring, and Matthew Jordan for Team GB&I, which gets underway on Friday morning.

See the video below of the pair teeing off on the 10th hole at Abu Dhabi Golf Resort’s National Course.

Main Image: Harry Grimshaw / Golf Digest Middle East