- Michael La Sasso won the 2025 NCAA championship in golf, which earned him a trip to the Masters.
- La Sasso will pass up his spot at the Masters to sign with LIV Golf on Phil Mickelson’s team.
- This is a shot in the arm for LIV, who just lost Brooks Koepka back to the PGA Tour.
NCAA golf champion Michael La Sasso had a chance to go to the Masters. However, he’ll decline his spot as La Sasso has signed with LIV Golf, joining Phil Mickelson’s team.
It’s a small win for LIV Golf, as Brooks Koepka has re-joined the PGA Tour.
Highly-Decorated La Sasso Made Cut in PGA Tour Event, Has Won for National Team
La Sasso made the declaration on Tuesday that he would join Mickelson’s HyFlyers.
La Sasso stated:
"It's a rare opportunity to learn from one of the greatest players in the history of the game, and I don't take that lightly. LIV Golf allows me to compete at the highest level on a global stage, and I thrive in a team environment, especially one with the camaraderie and support that defines HyFlyers GC."
The 21-year-old from North Carolina started at North Carolina State. After his freshman year, La Sasso went to Ole Miss, where he won the 2025 men’s individual championship with an -11 score, two shots better than Phichaksn Maichon of Texas A&M. The championship gave La Sasso an invitation to the Masters, but with his move to LIV, he won’t be able to make the trip to Augusta National in April.
He has also won team titles with the United States national team: the 2024 Arnold Palmer Cup, and the 2025 Walker Cup.
The former Ole Miss product has also played in the PGA Tour five times, making the cut at the 3M Open and finishing T44. La Sasso shot a third-round 63, but he faltered in the final round with a 73 to finish -11, good for T44.
What Does This Mean for LIV Golf?
It is a small win for LIV, where you’ll be able to make your best golf picks on February 7 for their tournament in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Mickelson is certainly excited, claiming:
"Michael is one of the most exciting young players in the game today, bringing a competitive fire that's evident every time he tees it up. He combines tremendous power and speed with an exceptional feel for the game. Beyond his talent, his personality, work ethic, and commitment to being a great teammate make him a terrific addition to HyFlyers GC."
LIV lost Brooks Koepka back to the PGA Tour recently, but they’ve also managed to keep Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, and Cam Smith, for now. Persuading the reigning NCAA champion to not only join them, but also pass up a chance at the Masters, is a pretty big deal.
Will La Sasso turn out to be a good professional? Only the future can tell. But one thing is for sure: LIV likely made it worth his while financially to spurn the PGA Tour!
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