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Every golfer’s dream is to play at Augusta National and Michael La Sasso had the opportunity to live it.
But he rejected it.
La Sasso, who won the NCAA individual title last year at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in California, lost his Masters eligibility after joining LIV Golf on Tuesday.
The reigning NCAA individual champions are eligible to play in the following year’s Masters if they remain amateurs. However, La Sasso’s deal with the Saudi-backed league makes him a professional golfer, which no longer makes him eligible to play at Augusta.
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Michael La Sasso of the University of Mississippi poses with the champion trophy on the 18th hole during the 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa on May 26, 2025, in Carlsbad, California. (Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)
Last year’s Masters field had 21 criteria, including the reigning NCAA champion, but La Sasso doesn’t fit any of the others.
“It is a unique opportunity to learn from one of the best players in the history of football and I do not take it lightly,” La Sasso said in a statement. “LIV Golf allows me to compete at the highest level on a global stage and thrive in a team environment, especially one with the camaraderie and support that defines HyFlyers GC. My focus is to learn, continue to improve and do everything I can to help our team succeed.”
Team USA’s Michael La Sasso plays his shot from the sixth tee in the Sunday foursomes during Day 2 of the 50th Walker Cup at Cypress Point Club on September 7, 2025, in Pebble Beach, California. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)
LIFE-SIZE STATUE OF GOLF LEGEND SEVE BALLESTEROS STOLEN FROM HIS HOMETOWN IN SPAIN
HyFlyers GC is captained by Phil Mickelson, who was one of the first golf stars to join LIV in 2022.
La Sasso attended Ole Miss and helped the Rebels finish in eighth place in the team competition. He finished two strokes ahead of Texas A&M’s Phichaksn Maichon to take home the title.
He defeated José Luis Ballester of Arizona State by six strokes. Ballester joined LIV shortly after last year’s Masters, to which he gained entry as the 2024 US Amateur champion.
Michael La Sasso of the University of Mississippi poses with the champion trophy on the 18th hole during the 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship at Omni La Costa Resort Spa on May 26, 2025, in Carlsbad, California. (Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)
La Sasso competed in last year’s US Open at Oakmont but missed the cut.
