US Newbie champion Jose Luis Ballester has rejected the chance to aim to try to earn his PGA Tour card by becoming a member of the LIV Golf League in a multi-year deal.
The Arizona State graduate completed third within the PGA Tour College Rating, permitting him to play on the Korn Ferry Tour – the tier under the PGA Tour – for the rest of the 2025 season, however declined the membership supplied.
Ballester – who made headlines at The Masters for urinating into Augusta Nationwide’s Rae’s Creek – has as a substitute turned skilled to function within the LIV Golf League, with the Spaniard signing for the Fireballs GC group captained by Sergio Garcia.
The 21-year-old will make his debut at LIV Golf Virginia because the full-time alternative for compatriot Luis Masaveu, who will initially stay because the reserve participant in Fireballs GC for the injured David Puig.
“We are very excited about Josele joining the team,” Garcia mentioned. “Personally, I’ve identified him (Josele) since he might choose up a golf membership and he has labored with my father (Victor) as his coach all through his golf profession.
“Josele is going to be a great addition not only to the Fireballs but also to the LIV League and I can’t wait to be with him by his side as he makes his professional debut.”
Ballester was sixth within the World Newbie Golf Rating, having gained the 2023 European Newbie earlier than his US Newbie victory over Noah Kent final summer season. He ended his school profession with a tied-fourth end on the NCAA Championship.
“I want to thank my family, coaches, friends, and Arizona State University for supporting me and believing in me to make it to this step of my career,” Ballester mentioned. “I am very excited about the opportunity to join Fireballs GC and continue to learn from Sergio and other greats.”
Abraham Ancer and Carlos Ortiz are the opposite gamers within the Fireballs GC line-up, whereas Ballester will stay within the discipline for the US Open – dwell from June 12-15 on Sky Sports activities Golf – because the reigning US Newbie champion.
Clanton excited for ‘dream’ PGA Tour debut
David Ford completed high of the PGA Tour College Rating, with the American one in every of three school graduates turning skilled and making their first begins as PGA Tour members on the RBC Canadian Open.
Luke Clanton and Gordon Sargent additionally earned their membership by means of PGA Tour College Accelerated, the place gamers earn factors based mostly on their ends in school, beginner {and professional} golf throughout their first three years of college.
Luke Clanton has already featured 5 occasions as an beginner on the PGA Tour in 2025
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan mentioned: “Officially welcoming Luke, Gordon, and David to the PGA Tour family marks the beginning of an exciting journey for three rising stars-and further underscores why this is the most competitive Tour in the world.
Clanton, who just completed his junior season at Florida State and is world amateur No 1, has already recorded four top-10s – including runner-up finishes at the 2024 John Deere Classic and 2024 RSM Classic – during his PGA Tour career as an amateur.
“It’s something you dream for always, constantly,” Clanton mentioned forward of the RBC Canadian Open, the place he’ll play alongside Rory McIlroy over the primary two rounds. “To kind of now be here and to call myself a professional is a little bit – honestly, a little bit weird at first.
“It is wonderful. I am simply excited to return out right here and compete. It is not in regards to the cash. It is not about any of the celebrity. It is about competing with these guys on Tour. It is one thing I’ve chased for my complete, total life, and particularly my household.”
Who will win the RBC Canadian Open? Watch throughout the week live on Sky Sports. Early coverage begins on Thursday from 11.45am on Sky Sports + ahead of full coverage from 8pm on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports activities or stream with no contract on NOW.
