Rising stars McKibbin, Surratt shine as Legion XIII claims Team Championship in Michigan

Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton sealed the playoff victory for Legion XIII at the LIV Golf Michigan Team Championship against Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers GC, but it was the young duo of Tom McKibbin and Caleb Surratt who made that opportunity possible.

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In the final round at the Cardinal at St. John’s, Surratt shot a 6-under 64 and McKibbin shot a 5-under 65. Surratt’s round was the best of the day for Legion XIII and McKibbin’s was tied with Rahm for the second-best round.

To reach the finals, Legion XIII needed their young foursome pairing to deliver, and they did. With authority. In the quarterfinals, the 21-year-old Surratt and the 22-year-old McKibbin beat Cleeks Golf Club Captain Martin Kaymer, a two-time major winner, and teammate Frederik Kjettrup, 2&1. With Rahm losing his match to Adrian Meronk, the win from the young duo was necessary for Legion XIII to advance. In the semifinals, they came through once again, beating Brendan Steele and Andy Ogletree of HyFlyers GC, 3&1.

“The young squad over here, both of them, carried us in match play, and for the most part (Sunday), had the scores going and kept us in it until Tyrrell and I were able to wake up on the 17th hole,” said Rahm, the Legion XIII captain.

For Surratt, it was another reminder of how far he has come in just his second year as a professional.

“It’s been a wild ride," Surratt said. "I’m thankful to Jon trusting me enough to have me on his team last year, and I’m very proud of the player I’ve started to become. I’ve had a few nice Sundays recently, so I was trying to have that same kind of vibe going into today.”

When Surratt left the University of Tennessee to join LIV Golf, skeptics questioned whether the move would stunt his growth. They couldn’t have been more wrong; it’s done the exact opposite. In his first season on LIV Golf, Surratt finished 41st in the Individual standings. A year later, he helped lead Legion XIII to a Team Championship. He also got his first top-5 finish on LIV Golf (3rd at LIV Golf UK by JCB). Surratt was the league’s third-best putter, gaining +0.66 strokes on the field per round.

He credited much of his growth to the veterans on his team.

“I know that I wouldn’t be the player I am today if I didn’t make the decision to come out here and play with Jon and Tyrrell over the last few years," Surratt said. "I’m very thankful for that and looking forward to many years to come.”

McKibbin, meanwhile, enjoyed a breakout rookie campaign, finishing in the Lock Zone and 20th in the Individual standings, ahead of teammates Surratt and Hatton. He recorded a T5 at LIV Golf Dallas and a T4 at LIV Golf Andalucia, while ranking 5th in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee (+0.71) and 5th in Strokes Gained: Around the Green (+0.40).

He said that playing alongside LIV Golf’s top players and playing tougher courses has accelerated his development.

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

Like Surratt, McKibbin faced criticism for his decision to join LIV Golf, but after a strong season capped by a Team Championship victory, that decision now looks fully vindicated.

After lifting the trophy with Legion XIII, McKibbin reflected on just how special the moment felt.

“It’s been an incredible year," he said. "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 and Surratt are blossoming into LIV Golf’s newest young stars, and their performances in Michigan felt less like a surprise and more like the start of something bigger. The champagne from their first Team Championship is barely dry, which is fitting for two players only just old enough to raise a glass, but the sky is the limit for what they can achieve from here.