LIV Golf has satisfied a younger star to show his again on a valuable Masters exemption in a recruitment that spotlights a effervescent subject on the PGA Tour.
Reigning NCAA particular person champion, Michael La Sasso, will this 12 months play on LIV Golf with Phil Mickelson for HyFlyers GC.
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In doing so, La Sasso, extremely, bins his invite to the 2026 Masters, and all remaining school eligibility earlier than getting into his last semester.
He does so for the chance to earn assured huge cash on the Saudi-backed circuit, which presents its 57-player discipline a complete prize fund of $380 million (A$565m) in 2026.
The signing caught many golf specialists without warning, with PGA Tour insider Dan Rapaport tweeting: “Did NOT see that one coming”.
Although not a family identify, La Sasso’s recruitment is being considered as LIV Golf benefiting from a possible weak spot within the new-look PGA Tour.
As a response to the emergence of LIV Golf, the PGA Tour has over the previous 4 years made a raft of modifications that, in the end, higher reward its greatest stars on the expense of rising, and fringe, expertise.
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Probably the most notable modifications embody the introduction of big-money, limited-field tournaments known as ‘Signature Occasions’ for top-performing golfers, and the prospect for its greatest stars to earn essentially the most fairness within the Tour.
The modifications have confirmed efficient in drastically stemming the movement of big-name golfers shifting away from the world’s premiere circuit.
Not because the December 2023 recruitment of Jon Rahm has LIV Golf landed a giant fish.
As an alternative, the momentum now rests with the PGA Tour who this 12 months will welcome again into the fold Brooks Koepka, whereas it has eyes on Bryson DeChambeau as he enters the ultimate season of his LIV Golf contract.
However LIV Golf has been profitable in recruiting extra younger weapons, cashing in on the PGA Tour’s narrowing pathways.
For instance, final 12 months, La Sasso made six PGA Tour begins as an newbie, however solely made one minimize, whereas he was left scrapping to earn a card.
His signing means it’s the second-straight 12 months that LIV has lured a participant off the PGA Tour College listing, following on from Josele Ballester who gamers for Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs.
La Sasso was third on the College listing, with solely the highest spot successful a full PGA Tour card on the finish of American Spring.
LIV Golf participant and 2010 US Open champion Graeme McDowell mentioned that La Sasso’s signing was a transparent signal that the PGA Tour is turning into a graveyard for prospects.
“Sizzling take however LIV is a reputable pathway for younger potential superstars who can receives a commission to be mentored of their younger careers by Tour greats and play a assured schedule,” he mentioned.
“The street to the PGA Tour is more and more perilous and suffering from nice expertise that by no means made it.
“My level is that it’s turning into more and more a closed store, like LIV, with more durable and narrower pathways to get there. Getting there’s arguably more durable than staying there and golf is without doubt one of the few sports activities on the earth wherein the very best younger abilities should not assured their shot on the massive stage.
“Pathways will all the time be vital and LIV is offering a really fascinating and compelling alternative for the following gen participant. Money of their pocket and an opportunity to compete at a excessive degree in my humble opinion.”
This was an opinion echoed by golf YouTube sensation Rick Shiels, who mentioned he believed La Sasso made the best choice to hitch LIV over searching a PGA Tour card.
“Was he proper to take the cash? I feel so,” Shiels mentioned.
“With the PGA Tour getting richer and extra aggressive, it’s more durable than ever to make it.
The PGA Tour limiting fields can have the unintended consequence of shedding some elite amateurs to LIV.
“As elite as he’s, he could by no means make the Tour. $10m+ assured makes far more sense.”
Arguably the most important consequence of the choice is that La Sasso is not going to drive down Magnolia Lane in April to play the world’s most iconic occasion, the Masters.
Even so, well-known golf efficiency coach Lou Stagner mentioned it was clear choice.
“For the form of cash he’s going to make, I’d not care about lacking the Masters,” he mentioned. “I’d not lose a single wink of sleep over it.”
La Sasso’s Ole Miss head coach Chris Malloy, backed that up in feedback made to the Golf Channel, saying that his pupil discovered it a “no-brainer” for his monetary future.
Nonetheless, he mentioned that La Sasso nonetheless discovered it arduous to drag the set off to depart his school teammates.
“The timing wasn’t excellent; Mike actually struggled with this,” he mentioned. “He’s a group man, and this was not a simple choice for him.”
La Sasso, 21, and Ballester should not the one younger weapons tasked with blossoming their careers on LIV Golf. Spanish 24-year-old gun David Puig performs for Fireballs GC, whereas promising 23-year-old Australian Elvis Smylie was this 12 months recruited for Cameron Smith’s Ripper GC.
La Sasso’s recruitment comes after Rory McIlroy mentioned in Dubai on the weekend that for all its noise, LIV Golf had nonetheless not signed “anybody who strikes the needle”.
McIlroy lands within the water in Dubai | 01:12
Although that’s arguably nonetheless the case, LIV Golf’s recruitment technique is a bet that might repay sooner or later.
“Michael is without doubt one of the most fun younger gamers within the recreation at this time, bringing a aggressive fireplace that’s evident each time he tees it up,” Mickelson mentioned about La Sasso.
“He combines great energy and velocity with an distinctive really feel for the sport.
“Past his expertise, his character, work ethic, and dedication to being an amazing teammate make him a terrific addition.”
In the meantime, La Sasso mentioned he was “extremely excited” by the prospect of taking his subsequent profession step on the worldwide tour, significantly beneath the steerage of six-time major-winner Mickelson.
“It’s a uncommon alternative to study from one of many best gamers within the historical past of the sport, and I don’t take that calmly,” he mentioned.
“LIV Golf permits me to compete on the highest degree on a worldwide stage, and I thrive in a group surroundings, particularly one with the camaraderie and assist that defines HyFlyers GC. My focus is on studying, persevering with to enhance, and doing every part I can to assist our group succeed.”