LIV continues to make inroads

The Star

8 hours ago

THINGS are looking up for LIV Golf and there's a lot in store to unfold in the future.
That's according to Phil Mickelson, a senior statesman of the circuit, who has been vocal with his praise of LIV Golf since joining in 2022, celebrating its direction and what he views as forward thinking.
Mickelson applauded the addition of promising young stars as LIV Golf begins to bolster its case for having the world's best golfers, agencies reported.
'I think that we're well on our way and not that far away from making that happen, and you're seeing it with these good young players that are coming out,' the six-time major champion said.
'If you look at the good young players from different parts of the world, not necessarily the United States, you've got Jose Ballester and Luis Masaveu (both from Spain) and Tom McKibbin (from Northern Ireland), and these young guys from other parts of the world are really interested in wanting to come to LIV and they get what it's about.
'I think over time that's just going to continue to grow just like it has exponentially in the last three years, and I think we're not that far away from having it be what we all want it to be, which is all the best players in the world playing against each other.'
Ballester, the US Amateur champion, signed a multi-year contract with LIV Golf this week.
Known as 'Josele,' Ballester was due to make his professional debut this week at the Virginia event and be part of the Fireballs team captained by fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia.
Ballester, 21, will join Abraham Ancer, David Puig and Garcia on Fireballs.
Masaveu, 22, will remain in the Fireballs lineup this week for the team while Davvid Puig, who wo the Malaysian Open last year, deals with a back injury.
McKibbin, 22, signed with LIV in January and joined Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton and Caleb Surratt as part of the Legion XIII team.
Garcia, speaking about Ballester, said: 'We are very excited about Josele joining the team.
'Personally, I have known him since he could pick up a golf club and he has worked with my father (Victor) as his coach throughout his golf career.
'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, 21, currently is No. 6 in the Official World Amateur Golf Ranking with victories at the 2020 Spanish Amateur, 2023 European Amateur and the 2024 US Amateur at Hazeltine National Golf Club. He recently completed his senior season at Arizona State.
'First and foremost, 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 said in a statement provided by LIV.
'I am very excited about the opportunity to join Fireballs GC and continue to learn from Sergio and other greats.'
Meanwhile, on the US PGA Tour, Sahith Theegala, who has missed tournaments this year because of a neck injury, confirmed on social media that he has withdrawn from this week's RBC Canadian Open and will need to rest 'for a little while'.
'Doctors have advised me to put the clubs away for a little while, as I get treatment and some rest for an injury I've been battling the last few weeks, so this one stings,' Theegala wrote on his Instagram account without specifying the injury.
An ambassador representing title sponsor RBC, Theegala wrote that he is very disappointed and with 'a heavy heart' unable to one of his favourite events of the year. The RBC Canadian Open teed off Thursday at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ontario.
'The place looks beautiful, and I've heard so many great things about the golf course and the facility overall,' he wrote.