Reigning US Amateur Champion Spurns PGA Tour for LIV Golf
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
On Wednesday, LIV Golf made their latest move on the players' side, and once again, it's a young star with an extraordinary future. We're talking about none other than the reigning U.S. Amateur champion, Spaniard José Luis "Josele" Ballester.
On Tuesday, the X Flushing It account, which tracks global golf news, reported Ballester's move to the Saudi-backed league as "confirmed." Unsurprisingly, the Arizona State University star has been linked to the Fireballs GC team, captained by fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia.
"Reigning US Amateur Champion and sixth-ranked amateur in the world, Josele Ballester, is confirmed to be joining Fireballs GC in the LIV Golf League," Flushing It posted.
Another report from the Spanish outlet El Periodigolf said this information would be officially confirmed in the coming hours. The report also stated that Ballester could make his debut with the Fireballs as soon as this weekend at LIV Golf Virginia.
Both reports proved to be true, as the Fireballs GC confirmed the news on Wednesday through their social media accounts.
Josele Ballester is a Fireball ⛳️ pic.twitter.com/wentHn34lM — Fireballs GC (@fireballsgc_) June 4, 2025
The Fireballs currently have a full roster with García, Luis Masaveu, David Puig, and Abraham Ancer. However, it is now reported that Masaveu's contract only covers half a season, so Ballester would replace him.
Nevertheless, according to the available information, Masaveu will also play in Virginia, replacing Puig, who has had back problems for several weeks.
LIV Golf has found fertile ground in Spanish golf. Prominent Spanish players like Jon Rahm and Sergio García have joined the league alongside young talents like Puig, Masaveu, and now Ballester.
Jose Luis Ballester of Spain poses with the trophy after the 36-Hole Championship Match of the U.S. Amateur Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club on August 18, 2024 in Chaska, Minnesota.
Jose Luis Ballester of Spain poses with the trophy after the 36-Hole Championship Match of the U.S. Amateur Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club on August 18, 2024 in Chaska, Minnesota.Josele Ballester recently finished his time playing collegiate golf in the United States with impressive results. He added nine top-five finishes in various NCAA tournaments to his 2024 US Amateur Championship title, as well as significant amateur victories in Spain and Europe.
He also earned an invitation to the 2025 Masters Tournament, where the reigning U.S. Amateur champion stole headlines, but not necessarily for the reason he might have wanted. Ballester needed to relieve himself, so he did in Rae's Creek and was spotted.
The story went viral, as did his girlfriend's reaction to it.
His standing in the PGA Tour University rankings earned him a Korn Ferry Tour card for the remainder of the season. However, Ballester officially rejected this option, which the golf world views as an indication that he is interested in LIV Golf.
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