An invitation to the Masters is a golfer's dream. But for NCAA champion Michael La Sasso, that dream is now off the table. He has made a stunning decision to join LIV Golf, and the golf world is debating if he made the right call.

La Sasso was recruited by Phil Mickelson's HyFlyers GC, who said, "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."

Michael La Sasso was excited to be taken under Mickelson's wing. "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."

With just two weeks left before the LIV season starts, Sasso's move sparked a lot of debate.

When Brentley Romine shared the news on X, a fan commented, “Ok genuine Q for golfers who are much much better than me (because if I got one chance to play in the masters I wouldn’t give it up. Probably since I assume it would never happen for me again): what do players consider when making the choice to wait or turn pro asap?”

Fans Fall in Support of Michael La Sasso’s Decision to Enter LIV Golf

Countering the confusion regarding La Sasso’s move, one fan wrote, “I really don’t understand the confusion of being a kid getting to play alongside multiple major champions, guaranteed money and possibly racking up millions? Then in two years choosing another path. if he earned that spot why can’t he play in the masters?”

Fighting for a spot on the PGA Tour is brutal. During the amateur years, the struggle is much less glamorous. But with the Saudi-backed league, things might change for the better for Michael La Sasso. 

One fan commented, “Money wise good for him but he had so much potential to be great on tour.” Meanwhile, another fan added, “Paycheck over the Masters is tough but probably the right call.”

Take Bryson DeChambeau. He earned $27,479,287 in 144 events for the PGA Tour and $47,607,131 in 48 events from LIV Golf. Similarly, for John Rahm, the PGA Tour's $51,603,851 in 153 events paled in comparison to LIV's 74,976,946 in 26 events. Even when LIV golfers made a smaller total sum, the amount per event was significantly higher.

Another fan reflected on Tiger Woods’ past and wrote, “Tiger literally did the same thing in 1996.”

Woods left Stanford in 1996 and turned professional right after winning the U.S. Amateur. That led to some lucrative endorsement deals as the former world number one prioritized financial security and career timing over remaining an amateur. 

What’s your opinion on La Sasso’s decision? Let us know in the comments!

Written by

Krushna Pattnaik

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar