NCAA Golf Champ Makes Shocking Move for Pro Career
One of the brightest young stars in the world of golf is turning pro, and he made an interesting decision to begin his career that is reverberating throughout the sport.
Ole Miss senior golfer Michael La Sasso is set to turn pro, but not on the prestigious PGA Tour. La Sasso will instead partner with multi-time major winner Phil Mickelson, joining Mickelson’s HyFlyers Golf Club in LIV Golf. La Sasso is signing a multi-year deal with LIV, and plans to make his debut next month at the season opening event in Saudi Arabia.
In order to turn pro, La Sasso was required to forfeit the rest of his college eligibility. He was entitled to an exemption at the Masters this year after winning the men's individual title at La Costa, but he'll have to turn that down after choosing to turn pro.
21-Year-Old Establishes Pro Golf Career
“I’m incredibly excited to join HyFlyers GC and take this next step in my career,” the 21-year-old said in a statement. “It’s a rare opportunity to learn from one of the greatest players in the history of the game, and I don’t take that lightly."
La Sasso said that LIV gives him the opportunity to "compete at the highest level on a global stage," and that he thrives in the team-focused environment that LIV provides. "My focus is on learning, continuing to improve, and doing everything I can to help our team succeed.”
The NCAA champion is the second college star to sign with LIV after their time at the amateur level, joining 2021 NCAA individual champion Turk Pettit. Pettit played in all eight events during LIV's first season, and has helped establish a pipeline for successful collegiate golfers.
La Sasso leaves college after a career that spanned two schools and dozens of tournaments. He initially played at North Carolina State before becoming a two-time All-American after transferring to Ole Miss.
He won three times last season, including his victory at the NCAA national championships. La Sasso was also a member of the United States Walker Cup team, joining the most prestigious international tournament in the world for amateur golfers.
La Sasso Seeks Greater Competition
“Michael is one of the most exciting young players in the game today, bringing a competitive fire that’s evident every time he tees it up,” Mickelson said.
“He combines tremendous power and speed with an exceptional feel for the game. Beyond his talent, his personality, work ethic, and commitment to being a great teammate make him a terrific addition.”
La Sasso won't be able to compete in golf's most prestigious senior event this year, but he has experience on the PGA Tour as an amateur. He competed in six events, including the 2025 U.S. Open.
Fans can tune in to see La Sasso's debut with the HyFlyers from February 4 through 7 at LIV's first event of the season in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.