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Reigning NCAA individual golf champion Michael La Sasso announced on Tuesday that he is foregoing his final collegiate season at the University of Mississippi to turn professional and sign with LIV Golf’s HyFlyers GC, led by six-time major winner Phil Mickelson. La Sasso’s multi-year agreement with the Saudi-backed league will see him make his professional debut at the LIV Golf season opener in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in early February.
Michael La Sasso, 21, who won the 2025 NCAA individual title and posted the lowest single-season scoring average in Ole Miss history, will forfeit his remaining college eligibility and the invitation to the 2026 Masters Tournament that came with his NCAA victory. By joining LIV Golf and the HyFlyers roster alongside veteran players such as Cameron Tringale and Brendan Steele, he relinquishes his amateur status and his planned spring schedule as a Rebel.
In an official statement, La Sasso said he was incredibly excited to join HyFlyers GC and take this next step in my career, emphasizing the opportunity to compete globally and learn from experienced professionals under Mickelson’s leadership. Mickelson welcomed La Sasso’s addition, highlighting his competitive talent, work ethic, and fit within the team dynamic.
Michael La Sasso 2025 season featured standout achievements including First Team All-American honors, First Team All-SEC recognition, and representing the United States on the winning Walker Cup team. He also gained limited PGA Tour experience as an amateur, including a missed cut at the 2025 U.S. Open.
The move reflects LIV Golf’s ongoing strategy of blending emerging young talent with seasoned professionals as it prepares for its 2026 campaign. Michael La Sasso decision to turn professional now ends his trajectory through college golf and major championship entry as an amateur, positioning him instead for a full LIV Golf debut in the coming weeks.
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