On Tuesday, LIV Golf announced that Michael La Sasso, the reigning NCAA individual champion, has inked a deal to join Phil Mickelson’s HyFlyers team for the upcoming 2026 season. La Sasso, who was ranked No. 13 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings at the year’s start, had a remarkable 2025 season, contributing to the U.S. Walker Cup victory and also clinching the individual NCAA championship while representing Ole Miss.

By joining LIV, La Sasso will relinquish his invitation to the Masters after earning an exemption as the NCAA champion. This decision marks a considerable change in his career, yet he couldn’t pass up the LIV opportunity despite the deferred start to his major championship journey. Both La Sasso and Mickelson expressed enthusiasm for this new chapter.

“I’m incredibly excited to join HyFlyers GC and take this next step in my career,” said La Sasso. “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. LIV Golf allows me to compete at the highest level on a global stage, and I thrive in a team environment, especially one with the camaraderie and support that defines HyFlyers GC. My focus is on learning, continuing to improve, and doing everything I can to help our team succeed.”

Mickelson praised La Sasso, stating: “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.” As LIV Golf seeks to attract young talent amidst changes in the professional landscape, the addition of La Sasso symbolizes their commitment to nurturing potential stars.