{"id":40727,"date":"2026-02-02T03:45:33","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T08:45:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/02\/michael-la-sasso-signs-with-liv-golf-reigning-ncaa-champion-stripped-of-masters-exemption\/"},"modified":"2026-02-02T03:45:33","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T08:45:33","slug":"michael-la-sasso-signs-with-liv-golf-reigning-ncaa-champion-stripped-of-masters-exemption","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/02\/michael-la-sasso-signs-with-liv-golf-reigning-ncaa-champion-stripped-of-masters-exemption\/","title":{"rendered":"Michael La Sasso signs with LIV Golf: Reigning NCAA champion stripped of Masters exemption"},"content":{"rendered":"
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LIV Golf announced Tuesday that reigning NCAA individual champion Michael La Sasso has signed to join Phil Mickelson’s High Flyers team for the 2026 season. <\/p>\n

La Sasso became the No. 13 amateur in the World Amateur Golf Rankings a year after his stellar performance in 2025, when he helped the U.S. win the Walker Cup and win an individual NCAA championship while at Ole Miss. La Sasso joins Mickelson, Cameron Tringale and Brendan Steele as a four-man member of the 2026 High Flyers. <\/p>\n

In making the leap to LIV, La Sasso will forego an invitation to Masters Field after earning an exemption as NCAA champion. It was a big decision for La Sasso, but the LIV opportunity was one he couldn’t pass up, even if it meant delaying the start of his major championship career. La Sasso and Mickelson released statements regarding their arrival to the High Flyers. <\/p>\n

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2026 PGA Tour Predictions, Expert Picks for Player of the Year, Major Champions, and Breakout Performers<\/p>\n

patrick mcdonald <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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“I’m very excited to join Highflyers GC and take the next step in my career. It’s a unique opportunity to learn from one of the greatest players in the history of golf, and I don’t take it lightly. LIV Golf has allowed me to compete at the highest level on the world stage, and I especially appreciate Highflyers GC. I have thrived in the team environment of camaraderie and support that characterizes me. My focus is to continue to learn, improve, and execute,” La Sasso said. I will do everything I can to help our team succeed. \u201d<\/p>\n

“Michael is one of the most exciting young players in the game today and brings a clear competitive edge every time he tees it up,” Mickelson said. “He combines tremendous power and speed with an exceptional sense of the game. In addition to his talent, his personality, work ethic and dedication to being a great teammate make him a great addition to Highflyers GC. We are excited to support his development, accelerate his learning curve and help him reach his goals, while he will make our team even stronger.”<\/p>\n

It’s been a busy offseason in the golf world. Brooks Koepka leaves LIV<\/span> and Return to the PGA Tour<\/span> There are some serious questions about the future of LIV. Even if there was some financial penalty for defecting to LIV in the first place, this was a clear sign that the PGA Tour would welcome back elite players like Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau. <\/p>\n

Rahm and DeChambeau both pledged their contributions.<\/span> Although he is set to remain in LIV through the 2026 season, DeChambeau’s contract runs beyond this year, leaving his future a giant domino that has yet to be toppled. <\/p>\n

While those two are still at the top of their game, LIV will have to focus on acquiring potential young stars as Koepka’s departure hurts the big-name roster. La Sasso’s arrival represents just that, and both LIV and La Sasso will be hoping he can succeed and make his mark there. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n