Captain Justin Rose says speculation over Tom McKibbin’s future has not been an issue as Great Britain and Ireland prepare for this week’s Team Cup.

Earlier this week it emerged the Northern Irishman is set to join LIV Golf in a shock move, just two months after he earned his first PGA Tour card.

McKibbin, who is expected to join Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII team, refused to comment on his future on Wednesday.

“I think we’re all aware of that. It hasn’t been confirmed to me, but it hasn’t been denied either,” Rose told BBC golf correspondent Iain Carter before the start of the Ryder Cup-style event in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

“The team room is the team room this week and the lads are all here for this week.”

The former world number one said players have become used to speculation around their peers joining LIV Golf since the Saudi Arabian-backed circuit was established in 2022.

“I think all of that is down the road in the future and we’re used to that narrative in golf now the last few years, it’s been unsettled for a while,” Rose added.

“We’re all quite accustomed to it. My team is just enjoying being here in the Middle East – what a wonderful place to start the season – and mucking in and wanting to get their own individual seasons off to a fantastic start.”