Phil Mickelson has added one of college golf’s biggest names to his LIV Golf team. Reigning NCAA individual champion Michael La Sasso is turning professional and will join HyFlyers GC ahead of the 2026 season.
By doing so, La Sasso will give up the rest of his amateur status, including his automatic spot at this year’s Masters. The move marks a major step in his career as he makes the jump from college golf to the pro ranks.
Mickelson praised the young golfer while confirming the signing.
“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.
“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 to HyFlyers GC. We’re excited to support his development, accelerate his learning curve, and help him achieve his goals while he, in turn, makes our team even stronger.”
La Sasso also shared his excitement about joining the team.
“I’m incredibly excited to join HyFlyers GC and take this next step in my career,” he said. “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.”
La Sasso is coming off a breakthrough season at Ole Miss, where he posted the lowest single-season scoring average in program history at 69.48. He was named a first-team All-American and became only the second NCAA individual champion in school history.He also represented the United States at the 2025 Walker Cup, finishing 1–2 at Cypress Point.
While his form dipped slightly this fall, with finishes of 18th and 23rd in limited starts, La Sasso remains one of the most talked-about young talents in the game. He also made six PGA Tour starts last year, though he made just one cut.
Mickelson’s team continues to lean young, with La Sasso joining a growing list of prospects who have chosen LIV early in their careers. Cameron Tringale and Brendan Steele will also return to HyFlyers GC as Mickelson finalizes his roster for the 2026 season.
How did Phil Mickelson perform in 2025 season?
Phil Mickelson’s 2025 season had its ups and downs, with a few strong weeks on LIV Golf but very little to show for it in the majors.
His best run came in Hong Kong, where he finished third at 14 under after rounds of 67, 65, and 64. He also had a strong week in Virginia, tying for fourth at 13 under with scores of 67, 68, and 65. In Miami, he placed sixth at one under (69, 73, 73), which was another solid showing.
But consistency was hard to find. He slipped to 50th in Korea at seven over (75, 70, 78) and finished 49th in Dallas at 11 over (77, 74, 76). Most of his other starts landed in the middle of the pack, including T23 in Adelaide, T19 in Singapore, and T22 in Mexico City, without ever really getting into winning contention.
The majors were especially rough. He missed the cut at the Masters at five over (75, 74), the PGA Championship at nine over (79, 72), and the U.S. Open at eight over (74, 74). The Open Championship was the only major where he played all four rounds, but he still finished T56 at one over (70, 72, 76, 67).
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