Jordan Smith Breaks Silence on Tom McKibbin’s LIV Move 😳⛳ “It Cost Me My PGA Tour Card!”
🔥 A massive controversy has erupted on the DP World Tour, and it all centers around Tom McKibbin’s unexpected move to LIV Golf — a decision that didn’t just shock fans… it directly affected fellow pro Jordan Smith’s PGA Tour future.
⛳ In this explosive breakdown, we reveal:
👉 How McKibbin’s delayed decision to join LIV Golf cost Jordan Smith his 2025 PGA Tour card
👉 Why Rory McIlroy advised McKibbin not to leave — and why he refused
👉 The ONE SHOT that changed Smith’s entire career trajectory
👉 Inside details from Smith’s brutally honest interview on the Sliced Podcast
👉 How Smith bounced back to secure his PGA Tour card for 2026
👉 PLUS: The full list of 10 DP World Tour stars who earned PGA Tour cards alongside him
This story has everything — tension, timing, careers on the line, behind-the-scenes decisions, and the growing power struggle between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.
💬 What do YOU think?
Did McKibbin’s move come too late? Or is Smith just unlucky?
Drop your thoughts in the comments! 👇
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Tom McKibben’s decision to join LIIV Golf shocked many across the golf world and not just because of the timing. The young Irishman had already secured his PGA tour membership, yet still chose to make the jump, going directly against the advice of mentor Rory Mroy. His move also left fellow pro Jordan Smith feeling blindsided and for reasons that make perfect sense in hindsight. Smith opened up about the situation during his appearance on the Slice podcast where he recalled the tense end to his 2024 season. To earn a PGA Tour card, Smith needed a birdie on the final hole of the DP World Tour Championship. He walked away with a par instead, finishing 19th, two spots short of the race to Dubai ranking he needed. Under normal circumstances, McKibben’s PGA Tour card would have been relinquished early enough for Smith to receive it. But McKibben didn’t make his LIV decision until a month into the 2025 PGA Tour season, long after he’d stopped playing events, keeping Smith locked out of spot he might have otherwise earned. It was annoying, Smith admitted. We were so close. It came down to one shot on the 18th on Sunday in Dubai. It would have been nice if it were a little bit earlier. So, he was giving up his player rights. I could have taken it. Despite his frustration, Smith made it clear there’s no personal animosity. He emphasized that he feels no anger or hate and revealed that the two spoke during the team cup and again at the 2025 DP World Tour Championship where McKibben congratulated him on finally securing his card. And in the end, the setback may have actually worked in Smith’s favor. This year, it’s definitely the right time. he said after finishing 16th in the race to Dubai and securing his PGA Tour membership for 2026 outright. Who joins Jordan Smith on the list of DP World Tour players earning PGA Tour cards for 2026? Smith wasn’t alone. Nine other DP World Tour stars booked their tickets to the PGA Tour, including some of the season’s most compelling stories. Marco Ping, one of Europe’s breakout sensations in 2025. Ping dominated with multiple wins and made headlines by rejecting LIIV golf. He’s already preparing for his US move. Lorie Caner. Once a LIIV player, Caner left the league and crafted an impressive season in Europe, becoming the first player to exit LIIV and then earn a PGA Tour card. Reports now suggest he may return to LIIV, setting up another dramatic twist. Howdongly, the 30-year-old sparked chaos for Scotty Sheffler during the Open at Royal Portric and delivered consistent excellence all year. His full-time PGA tour membership now gives fans the chance to see him compete regularly against the game’s biggest stars. From missed opportunities to career-defining second chances, the 2025 to 26 transition season has delivered one of the most dramatic PGA Tour qualification stories in years. Jordan Smith’s journey and the ripple effects of Tom McKibben’s decision will remain a defining chapter of the season.
