Michael La Sasso forfeited his remaining collegiate eligibility as the reigning NCAA champion, including his Masters Tournament exemption in April, to join Phil Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC. But how did this decision to leave at midseason affect his team at Ole Miss, the Rebels? 

And despite the disheartening timing, Ole Miss head coach Chris Malloy confirmed that the team supports La Sasso’s transition. 

"Certainly, nobody’s fired up to lose a guy like Mike when we’re trying to make a run at an NCAA Championship. But they understand,” the coach said. “Ultimately, we play kind of a selfish sport, and you’ve gotta look out for yourself.”

Malloy didn’t opt for the “coach talk,” trying to lift the Rebels up. Instead, he shared an interest in knowing how the team would react to La Sasso’s departure. And knowing the team, Malloy claimed that they would “rise to the challenge.”

"I know exactly what everyone is going to say about us. I know that everyone is going to go, well, they’re screwed now. And I love that. I can’t to go out and prove people wrong."

But what was in it for Michael La Sasso?

Malloy revealed that it was a decision backed by a financially secure future. Of course, the timing could have been better. And La Sasso struggled with the decision. 

Malloy stated, “He’s a team guy, and this was not an easy decision for him.”

But for the 21-year-old, it was a different reason. 

NCAA Champion Reveals the Real Reason Behind Joining LIV Golf

In a later official press release, La Sasso made it clear that he values the opportunity to learn from a legend. “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.” 

For La Sasso, the transfer means more than just an individual accomplishment. Instead, he sees the value in the special camaraderie associated with the HyFlyers. He expressed his enthusiasm for the world competition as well as his commitment to personal growth as a player.

The two-time first-team All-American won three events in the 2025 season – The NCAA Championship, Arnold Palmer Cup, and the Walker Cup.

While he missed the cut in his major debut at the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont, his combination of power and competitive spirit made him a top target for Phil Mickelson.

As the 2026 LIV Golf season begins, can Michael La Sasso maintain his stance against the professionals?

Written by

Krushna Pattnaik

Edited by

Joyita Das