The rivalry between LIV Golf and the PGA continues to escalate. The traditional professional golf tour boasts some of the biggest stars in the sport. Still, the rogue tour recently pulled off a masterstroke by convincing the most recent NCAA champion to forgo the Masters at Augusta and join its ranks.
Since its inception in 2021, LIV Golf has been in direct competition with the PGA. The traditional tour did everything possible to prevent its stars from migrating to the new tournament.
In these five years, the back-and-forth movement of athletes between the two tours has been constant. Most recently, Brooks Koepka’s return to the PGA was a devastating blow for LIV.
However, the tour quickly recovered, adding the young college star to its roster, specifically to the Hy Flyers GC, captained by Phil Mickelson.
La Sasso turns down the biggest opportunity of his collegiate career
In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), the HyFlyers announced the signing of La Sasso. The young prospect will begin his career in February at the tournament in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
To be eligible to play in LIV, the former Ole Miss Rebels star had to forfeit his remaining years of collegiate eligibility, as well as his spot in the Masters.
La Sasso had a guaranteed spot at Augusta as long as he maintained his amateur status. However, the temptation to play professionally alongside Mickelson proved too great.
“It’s a rare opportunity to learn from one of the greatest players in the history of the game, and I don’t take it lightly,” La Sasso said after signing his contract.
LIV Golf is poaching the biggest junior stars one by one
“I’m incredibly excited to join HyFlyers GC and take the next step in my career,” said La Sasso, and he’s not the only one. Before the former Rebel, LIV signed other young talents from the NCAA.
2021 NCAA champion Turk Pettit joined LIV for its debut season in 2022. The tour has also lured players like Ben An and Thomas Detry away from the PGA.
Financial incentives have a lot to do with it, as Ole Miss coach Chris Malloy said. “He [La Sasso) needed to make financially for his future.”
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