BREAKING: Michael La Sasso, the reigning NCAA men’s individual champion from Ole Miss, is turning pro and heading to LIV Golf. I can confirm he is joining Phil Mickelson’s team, with plans to debut as soon as the next event. In doing so, he is giving up the Masters spot tied to remaining an amateur. That is a massive call for a 21-year-old star, and it changes the college-to-pro conversation overnight. [IMAGE_1]
The Decision
La Sasso informed Ole Miss today that he is leaving school and his remaining eligibility. The move comes fast, right on the heels of his NCAA title. The talent is real. The timing is bold. He will shift into a team room led by Mickelson, a six-time major winner, and he will get paid to compete right now.
Here is the edge, and the cost. By turning pro today, La Sasso loses the Masters entry that would have come with staying amateur. That rule is clear. The choice shows confidence and urgency. It also shows how LIV is targeting the top of the college game.
By leaving the amateur ranks now, La Sasso gives up his Masters path tied to that status. No green jacket trip this spring under the amateur exemption.
Risk versus reward
This is the modern golf trade. Guaranteed opportunity and big-team structure, against uncertain access to the four majors. LIV events do not offer world ranking points. That makes the road to the majors tougher over time. Players can still qualify for the U.S. Open and The Open through qualifying. Special invitations can happen. But nothing is simple now.
What La Sasso gains and what he risks sit side by side.
- Gains immediate starts, security, and mentorship under Mickelson
- Steps into a high-visibility team with resources and coaching
- Loses his amateur Masters route this season
- Faces an unclear world ranking path for future majors
La Sasso is betting on his game. He believes he can win his way into everything he wants. He just proved he can close, under pressure, with a national title. The question now is how fast his game travels to the global stage.
Majors remain reachable through qualifying and special invites. The path is longer, not closed.
What the HyFlyers get
Mickelson’s team adds youth, speed, and edge. College golf hardens players in a unique way. You grind team qualifying. You face match play. You adjust to different courses every week. La Sasso has lived that, and he has lifted a trophy at the end of it. That experience translates to LIV’s weekly pressure.
The HyFlyers need fresh scoring and energy late in rounds. La Sasso brings a calm move through the ball and a steady head. He does not flinch when the number matters. Mickelson has always valued shotmaking and creativity. Expect him to lean into that with La Sasso, with short-game work and course plans that fit his strengths.
This is also a cultural play. HyFlyers now have a rising star who can speak to the next wave. That matters in the locker room, in practice rounds, and on the range when the cameras fade. [IMAGE_2]
What it means for college golf
This decision sends a loud message. The NCAA champion is not waiting. The portal from college to LIV is wide open, and it comes with a check, a team boss, and a schedule tomorrow. For coaches, this raises a new challenge. How do you build a roster when your best player might leave after a title run, or mid-season?
For players, it reframes the ladder. PGA Tour U has been the blueprint for recent stars. LIV is now a rival on-ramp, with fewer stops and more certainty. The majors sit in the distance as the real test. Do you want the fast start, or the smoother path to Augusta and the rest?
La Sasso’s move is a signal. Top college champions now have two clear doors. The choice will shape careers, and the sport, for years.
The bottom line
Michael La Sasso just made the boldest move of his young career. He chose a paycheck, a captain, and a team, over a tradition that would have put him on Magnolia Lane as an amateur. It is a risk, and a bet on his own ceiling. If he thrives, it could pull more NCAA stars to LIV. If the major doors stay narrow, the cost will be real.
Either way, the message is clear. The race to sign the best young players is on, and today, LIV won the sprint. All eyes now turn to La Sasso’s debut with Mickelson’s HyFlyers. The stakes are high, the stage is set, and the kid just stepped into the spotlight. 🏌️♂️
