Latest news with #FireballsGC
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Reigning US Amateur Champion Spurns PGA Tour for LIV Golf
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. 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 ⛳️ — 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, 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. More Golf: Max Homa Ditches Caddie amid Carrying Own Bag at Painful US Open Qualifier
Newsweek
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Sergio Garcia Takes Major Step to Hopeful Ryder Cup Return
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Sergio García has declared his goal of returning to the Ryder Cup in September. The Spaniard knows he must meet two crucial requirements: first, he must play the minimum number of events required by DP World Tour rules; second, he must prove he is fit to play at Bethpage Black. With the first objective in mind, García has announced one of the European Tour events where he will compete before the Ryder Cup: the BMW International Open in July. He also used the moment to confirm his return to the Spanish Open in October. "Yes, definitely playing BMW International Open and will also play Spanish Open," García revealed via text message to Golf Magic. DP World Tour members must play at least four tournaments to keep their cards. García has already played two of them, the Masters and the PGA Championship, both of which are part of the European Tour calendar. He must complete the remaining tournaments during the season, not before the Ryder Cup. The 2017 Masters winner could meet that requirement with the events he's already committed to. Now, he needs to demonstrate his level by posting good results. García knows it's almost impossible for him to qualify as a member of Luke Donald's team in the top six rankings. His hopes rest on his ability to excel and earn one of the captain's six picks. Sergio Garcia of Fireballs GC looks on day one of LIV Golf Mexico City at Club de Golf Chapultepec on April 25, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico. Sergio Garcia of Fireballs GC looks on day one of LIV Golf Mexico City at Club de Golf Chapultepec on April 25, 2025 in Mexico City, European Ryder Cup team is composed through a points system that ranks all eligible players. There are six automatic qualifiers. From there, Donald freely picks the other six members of the group. Sergio Garcia is a European Ryder Cup legend and one of the event's most successful players. He has won six of his ten appearances and holds the record for the most points in the event with 28.5. The 2025 BMW International Open will mark García's 14th appearance and first since 2022. In his previous 13 starts in Germany, the Masters winner achieved five top-10 finishes, including two second-place finishes in 2011 and 2017. García has also participated in 13 Spanish Open editions, most recently in 2019. He won the tournament in 2002 and finished in two other top 10s. More Golf: US Women's Open: Charley Hull Shows Up Lexi Thompson's Slow Play
Newsweek
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Sergio Garcia Targets Favorite Major amid PGA Championship Failure
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Sergio Garcia was a 3-foot putt away from qualifying for The Open Championship for the first time in three years. The Spaniard failed to make that putt on the 72nd hole of the Asian Tour's International Series Macau, dropping him into a tie for fourth and losing the last of three tickets to Royal Portrush provided by the event. However, that was not the last word from Garcia in terms of trying to play in the fourth major of the current season, which will be played in July at the iconic venue in Northern Ireland. The 2017 Masters victor spoke on the subject in a recent interview with Fox Sports: "When it comes to The Open, this is something that I would love to be a part of again. It's my favorite major. ... I was very close in Macau, but unfortunately, I fell short. I'll just keep trying. I'm going to use every option that I have," Garcia said, as reported by Fox Sports' Henry McKenna. The 45-year-old still has several options to qualify for The Open Championship. The one that seems most viable is to win the ticket that the R&A will award directly to a LIV Golf player. Sergio Garcia of Fireballs GC tees off at 7th hole on day one of LIV Golf Singapore at Sentosa Golf Club on March 14, 2025 in Singapore, Singapore. Sergio Garcia of Fireballs GC tees off at 7th hole on day one of LIV Golf Singapore at Sentosa Golf Club on March 14, 2025 in Singapore, exemption, new this season, will be awarded to one of the top three members of LIV Golf's internal rankings at the conclusion of the Dallas event in June. The lucky player will be the top-ranked one in that group, not otherwise exempt. Currently, Sergio Garcia is one spot away from earning his ticket this way. The Spaniard is fourth in the LIV Golf standings. All three players ahead of him, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Joaquin Niemann, have already qualified for The Open. If he fails to maintain his position between now and the cut, his chances will be greatly diminished. Garcia could try to win one of two tickets to the DP World Tour's Italian Open, but that event coincides with the Dallas one, so it is not a realistic option for him. His next and final option is to play in the regional and final qualifiers, which will be held on June 23 and July 1, respectively. The Spaniard already tried this route in 2024, but failed to win one of the four tickets distributed at the West Lancashire Golf Club. The Spaniard has already played in the first two majors of the season, the Masters and PGA Championship, with uninspiring results. Garcia missed the cut at both events, finishing at +4 and +8 respectively. Captain @TheSergioGarcia has received an invitation to play in the 107th @PGAChampionship in Quail Hollow! 🔥👏⛳️ — Fireballs GC (@fireballsgc_) February 1, 2025 Sergio Garcia hasn't given up on his Ryder Cup goals either In the same interview, Sergio Garcia once again touched on Ryder Cup aspirations. The biennial event will be played in September at Bethpage Black, New York: "Probably the most important thing is to keep playing like I've been playing. ... And then it'll come down to [Luke Donald] and his team deciding if I can bring something extra that will help," the Spaniard said, as reported by McKenna. Garcia is currently very far from earning his place on the European team through the points system implemented by Donald. In fact, he has yet to earn a single ranking point. Should he fail to break into the top 6, which would earn him a spot on the team, the native of Castellon, Spain, also has the option of being included in Luke Donald's six free picks. His performance at LIV Golf will play a crucial role in that. Garcia has played four tournaments this season, with one victory (Hong Kong) and one top-10 finish (T6, Riyadh). More Golf: PGA Tour Pro Explains 'Losing His Cool' in Wild Valspar Outburst
Fox Sports
24-04-2025
- Climate
- Fox Sports
400-yard drives?! Here's why LIV Golf Mexico City will deliver huge distances
Will there be a 400-yard drive in the thin air this week at LIV Golf Mexico City? David Puig, one of the league's longest hitters, didn't take long to ponder the question. "I think so," he said, "if the fairways get a little firmer and it's downwind." The young Fireballs GC star nearly did it early in the week on the practice range at Club de Golf Chapultepec, hitting one drive that his launch monitor recorded at 354 meters, which is just over 387 yards. "I swung out of my shoes," Puig acknowledged, "but maybe it's possible." Definitely possible. Perhaps probable. Even likely. The last time Club de Golf Chapultepec — which sits 7,800-plus feet above sea level — hosted a World Golf Championships event was 2020. Justin Thomas hit a drive of 449 yards, the longest on the PGA Tour that season. The year before, Thomas hit a 457-yard drive, also the longest of that season. Although the course has been tightened since then, with some fairways narrowed that might discourage a full let-it-rip approach, it remains a unique opportunity for the world's top golfers to reach into the stratosphere. Crushers GC Captain Bryson DeChambeau, the league's driving distance leader last season and again this year, hit a 407-yard practice drive with a 15.1-degree launch angle. "Have to have the launch high enough, above 15 to work," he said on the video of his swing. Said an admiring Phil Mickelson: "That's very sexy." Mickelson, a past WGC winner here, posted a video on his own social media channel in which he was practically giddy about the opportunity awaiting the 54 players off the tee. "You can hit bombs, bombs up here," the HyFlyers GC captain said. "It's awesome." Then to provide proof, he "maxxed" out a drive that registered 362 yards carry. "Get some," Mickelson implored. "Get some of that!" It's no surprise that players are flying shots with regularity over the net that stands approximately 320 yards at the back of the range. "It's fun to be hitting it so far," said Cleeks GC's Adrian Meronk, who ranks 16th in driving average this season at 305.2 yards. He estimates the high elevation could result in as much of a 20% gain on distance, which would give him an extra 60 yards. Club de Golf Chapultepec, hosting its first LIV Golf tournament this week, is the highest-elevated course in the league's history, a span of 42 events since the inaugural 2022 season. The official yardage book for LIV Golf Mexico City, for instance, references the 10% increase for the Mile High city of Denver, Colorado, which sits at 5,280 feet. Then it references 15% for Club de Golf Chapultepec's nearly 7,900 feet. Not only does it increase shot yardages, it also increases the gaps between clubs, forcing players (and their caddies) to make tough choices on club selection. This piece is courtesy of Mike McAllister in partnership with LIV Golf . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily . recommended Get more from LIV Golf Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Fox Sports
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
LIV Golf Mexico City preview: Can Joaquin Niemann keep hot streak going?
LIV Golf returns to action this week with LIV Golf Mexico City, the sixth tournament of the 2025 league schedule. Here is everything to know before catching all the action live on FOX Sports. BASIC INFO When: April 25-27 Where: Club de Golf Chapultepec, Naucalpan, Mexico Competition: Three rounds/54 holes of stroke play Field: 54 players – 13 teams of four players each, and two wild cards Shotgun Start local time (CT):Rd. 1, 1:05 2, 12:05 p.m. Rd. 3, 12:05 p.m. KEY STORYLINES LIV Golf makes its first visit to Mexico City and its third visit to the country of Mexico, with Mayakoba hosting tournaments in 2023 and 2024 Club de Golf Chapultepec previous hosted World Golf Championships events between 2017-2020, with each winner competing this week (Dustin Johnson in 2017 and 2019), Phil Mickelson in 2018 and Patrick Reed in 2020) Mexico's Carlos Ortiz (Torque GC) and Abraham Ancer (Fireballs GC) are the local favorites, with each player ranked inside the top 13 in the season-long points race Reigning Team Champions Ripper GC enters off its first team title of 2025, having won at the difficult Trump National Doral course at LIV Golf Miami , with veteran star Marc Leishman claiming his first individual LIV Golf title Torque GC Captain Joaquin Niemann of Chile leads the season-long individual points race, while Sergio Garcia's Fireballs GC top the team standings Six players inside the top eight in points are Spanish-speaking players – Niemann, Garcia, Spain's Jon Rahm and David Puig, Colombia's Sebastián Muñoz and Ortiz Mexico City is the first LIV Golf tournament since the golf season's first major, the Masters, in which five LIV Golf players finished inside the top 15 – the most of any major since the inception of LIV Golf Niemann (in 2024) and Charles Howell III (2023) won individual titles in LIV Golf's two visits to Mayakoba ABOUT THE COURSE CLUB DE GOLF CHAPULTEPEC Naucalpan, Mexico Par 71 Yardage 7,385 Club de Golf Chapultepec was designed initially by former U.S. Open winner Willie Smith, who died before finishing the job. His brother Alex Smith, a two-time U.S. Open champion, completed the design and the course was opened in 1921 Percy Clifford renovated the course in 1972 The club has hosted the Mexican Open 18 times, including the first seven years starting in 1944, and most recently in 2014 The club hosted a World Golf Championships event four times, with current LIV Golf players Dustin Johnson (2017, 2019), Phil Mickelson (2018) and Patrick Reed (2020) capturing those four titles Another LIV Golf player, Bryson DeChambeau, finished runner-up to Reed by one stroke in 2020 World Golf Hall of Famer Roberto De Vicenzo of Argentina won three of his record 229 professional wins at the club during the early 1950s The tree-lined parkland course is built approximately 7,800 feet (1.36 miles) above sea level, forcing players to adjust their distance calculations LIV Golf Mexico City will be played at par 71 (instead of the members' par 72), with the 529-yard ninth hole (normally the members' eighth hole) playing to a par 4 instead of a par 5 The routing will be different from the club's usual routing, with the members' 18th hole being used as the first hole, and the par-3 17th being played as the 18th hole for LIV Golf Mexico City The 18th is the shortest hole on the course at 151 yards, and the par-5 seventh is the longest at 625 yards LIV Golf makes its first visit to Mexico City, which has a metro population of nearly 23 million. That makes it the largest city to ever host a LIV Golf tournament. The host course is Club de Golf Chapultepec, which is located 7,800 feet – roughly 1.36 miles – above sea level. That makes it the highest elevated city to host a LIV Golf event. Lots of people. Lots of altitude. LIV Golf Mexico City promises to be one of the league's most unique and interesting tournaments in its young history. "I really enjoy Mexico City," said HyFlyers GC Captain Phil Mickelson, LIV Golf's elder statesman and a World Golf Hall of Famer. "Some great things there. Great restaurants. Great food. Great people. And the golf course is spectacular." Mickelson has enjoyed success at the host course, having won a World Golf Championships event there in 2018. In fact, all four WGC events that Club de Golf Chapultepec hosted were won by current LIV Golf players, with 4Aces GC Captain Dustin Johnson winning twice and his teammate Patrick Reed winning the most recent one in 2020. "It's an amazing city," Reed said, "and a proper golf course." Players will certainly be challenged by the high elevation that will increase the distances of shots. A 7-iron that may travel 185 yards at sea level could see a 20-30 yard increase. And no telling how far driving distance leader Bryson DeChambeau's tee shots will go. "The biggest challenge is the altitude and getting the distance control down," Mickelson said. "Once you have that, you can really appreciate how beautiful the golf course is and the area around it." This piece is courtesy of Mike McAllister in partnership with LIV Golf . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily . recommended Get more from LIV Golf Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
