McKibbin's potential move to LIV was first reported by Spanish website TenGolf. He grew up playing at the same club — Holywood Golf Club — as compatriot Rory McIlroy.

Northern Ireland's Tom McKibbin is set for a shock switch to join Jon Rahm's LIV Golf team in a lucrative multi-year deal. McKibbin claimed a PGA Tour card in November after finishing among the top 10 players without a card in the DP World Tour's Race to Dubai.

The 22-year-old is reportedly set to pen a multi-year deal to join Jon Rahm's Legion XIII side, just a few months after securing a PGA Tour card via the DP World Tour

LIV Golf's Joaquin Niemann was among two golfers who accepted a special invitation to compete in this year's Masters as part of the tournament's tradition of inviting leading international players who are not otherwise qualified for the event.

This is the 16th time the Masters has given special invitations since the tournament implemented OWGR as an exemption category. Last year it awarded three invites to Niemann, Ryo Hisatsune and Thorbjorn Olesen. The invites bring the 2025 tournament field to 87 competitors.

In support of Augusta National’s efforts to develop interest in golf globally, deserving international players not otherwise qualified have been invited throughout the tourna