Michael La Sasso, the reigning NCAA golf champion from Ole Miss, has joined LIV Golf's HyFlyers GC alongside Phil Mickelson, Brendan Steele, and Cameron Tringale. This move means he forfeits his invitation to the 2026 Masters as the NCAA titleholder. Ole Miss coach Chris Malloy described the decision as providing significant financial stability amid uncertainties in the traditional PGA Tour path.
The announcement of Michael La Sasso's signing with LIV Golf surprised many in the golf world, coming just days before the University of Mississippi's season opener on January 31, 2026. LIV Golf's season kicks off on February 4, 2026, at the Riyadh Golf Club in Saudi Arabia, forcing La Sasso to choose between continuing his college career and pursuing a lucrative professional opportunity.
Ole Miss golf coach Chris Malloy, speaking to Golf.com, acknowledged the complexity of the choice. When asked if he would have made the same decision 20 years ago, Malloy replied, “I have no earthly idea. Couldn’t answer that one. But I know it would have been a tough decision.” He emphasized the contract's value, noting it offers “a lot of financial stability” and “financially, a number that you can’t turn back from.”
Malloy contrasted this with the risks of staying amateur and entering the PGA Tour via PGA Tour U, where success is not guaranteed. “Staying in the States and going through PGA Tour U and PGA Tour all of that, they’re probably a lot less guarantees at this point for some of these guys. So I think that stability, pathway going forward for him was probably a little bit too much to pass up,” he said.
While disappointed to lose his star player less than two weeks before the Rebels' season, Malloy understood the self-interested nature of the sport. In an earlier interview, he stated, “Certainly, nobody’s fired up to lose a guy like Mike when we’re trying to make a run at an NCAA Championship. But they understand… ultimately, we play kind of a selfish sport, and you’ve gotta look out for yourself.”
La Sasso's departure raises questions about LIV Golf's appeal to young talents and whether his presence will draw more viewers to the league.
