Latest news with #JoseLuisBallester
Independent Singapore
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Independent Singapore
Spanish golfer who peed himself in Rae's Creek during the Masters is now playing for LIV Golf
Photo: Spanish golfer Jose Luis Ballester is now joining the LIV Golf and will play under the Fireballs team, led by fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia. Undoubtedly, the athlete has an impressive background in the sport, having won at both the U.S. Amateur and European Amateur. However, he is recently well-known as the man who relieved himself in Rae's Creek at the 2025 Masters. What exactly made the headlines? At the 2025 Masters, Ballester faced an unexpected situation on the famous par-5 13th hole. The athlete was playing against World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Justin Thomas during the first round, and he felt the urgent need to pee. He chose to do so in Rae's Creek at the Augusta National. Ballester then believed he was out of public sight, despite a large crowd watching from around his surroundings. When asked about the incident after the game, he downplayed the fact, saying it was not a big deal. See also Liv Golf stars set for big test at Sentosa's Serapong course He expressed back then: 'Didn't really know where to go, and since JT had an issue on the green, I'm like, I'm just going to sneak here in the river, and probably people would not see me that much, and then they clapped for me.' Regardless of the incident, LIV Golf signing Ballester is a major step for the Saudi-backed circuit. He has been known as one of the top amateurs in the world for some time now, and it shows that he has the potential to become a professional sooner or later. In a social media post shared by the Fireballs GC, it stated: 'Josele Ballester is a Fireball ⛳️.' Netizens shared their support in the comments section and remarked: 'What a signing 🔥,' 'Good luck Josele 🙌,' 'Congrats, you will do great and have a great team around you 🔥,' 'Congratulations!! Well deserved!' and 'Well earned. After all these years of hard work and sacrifice, you deserve every penny. You're the best 🔥.' In another social media post, the team shared a photo of Ballester and Garcia with a caption: 'From mentee to teammate. 🫶' More netizens commented on the post and said: 'Love to see it!! 🔥🙌,' 'That's really cool. Best of luck,' Good luck in your new stage. A privilege to have watched you grow as a person and as an athlete (translated)', and 'Yeah Josele!! How great you are! Seeing you in the uniform and at that age, what memories that photo brings back. Always great!! (translated).'
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Jose Luis Ballester, who stunned fans with disgusting act at the Masters, makes shock career move
Jose Luis Ballester has signed a major career contract just two months after going viral at Augusta National. The reigning US Amateur has signed a multi-year deal with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit, forfeiting his shot at making it on the PGA Tour. The 21-year-old will join fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia's Fireballs team, joining Abraham Ancer and David Puig. He is set to make his professional debut this week at LIV Golf's Virginia event at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club outside Washington, D.C. 'We are very excited about Josele joining the team,' Garcia said in a statement. 'Personally, I have known him since he could pick up a golf club and he has worked with my father as his coach throughout his golf career.' Ballester just wrapped up his senior season at Arizona State - the alma mater of LIV Golf stars Phil Mickelson and Jon Rahm. He finished third in the PGA Tour University standings, which earned him full status on the Korn Ferry Tour, the PGA Tour's top developmental circuit. However, according to Golf Channel, Ballester declined the offer, instead opting to snub the Tour in favor of its rival breakaway. LIV Golf players have been banned from the PGA Tour for their defections as the truce negotiations between the two circuits drag on. The PGA Tour rejected a $1.5 billion reunification offer from the Saudi Public Investment Fund - which bankrolls the LIV breakaway - in April. Despite missing the cut, Ballester made headlines at The Masters in April when he left the patrons of the hallowed Augusta National stunned. He stirred controversy during the first round when, playing alongside world No 1 Scottie Scheffler, he sported a cap with 'Sun Devils' written upside down on the front. An apparent fashion faux pas among golf's traditionalists. He truly horrified Augusta's most orthodox patrons when he took relief of a very different kind at one of the course's most famous landmarks. Ballester urinated into Rae's Creek at the 13th at the risk of facing punishment from the powers that be at the church of golf. Fans flocked to his girlfriend's Instagram her boyfriend shot to fame at The Masters 'I completely forgot that we had those restrooms to the left of the tee box,' an unrepentant Ballester explained after he was caught in the act. 'I really needed to pee. I didn't really know where to go…I'm like, I'm just going to sneak here in the river and probably people would not see me that much, and then they clapped for me.' However, he appeared to have avoided the wrath of the Augusta officials over his unscheduled pit stop when he was permitted to return to tee it up for the second round alongside Scheffler and Justin Thomas. Ballester defeated Noah Kent 2 up in the 36-hole U.S. Amateur final at Hazeltine last August. Although he is turning professional, he keeps his spot in next week's U.S. Open at Oakmont as the reigning champion of the USGA's top amateur event. Ballester is the son of two Spanish Olympians with his mother Sonia Barrio winning a gold medal in field hockey at the 1992 Barcelona games. Meanwhile, his father, Jose Luis Ballester Sr., was an Olympic swimmer, who also competed at the University of Florida. Ballester, who hails from Castellón, Spain, has one sister, Julia, who is also a collegiate golfer as a sophomore at Kansas State.
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Business
- Washington Post
US Amateur champion Jose Luis Ballester of Spain joins LIV Golf
GAINESVILLE, Va. — U.S. Amateur champion Jose Luis Ballester of Spain has joined LIV Golf and will make his professional debut this week at the Saudi-funded league's Virginia event. Ballester, who goes by the nickname Josele, signed a multiyear contract, LIV said Wednesday, and will be part of the Fireballs team captained by fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia.
National Post
4 days ago
- Business
- National Post
U.S. Amateur champion Jose Luis Ballester of Spain joins LIV Golf
U.S. Amateur champion Jose Luis Ballester of Spain has joined LIV Golf and will make his professional debut this week at the Saudi-funded league's Virginia event. Article content Ballester, who goes by the nickname Josele, signed a multiyear contract, LIV said Wednesday, and will be part of the Fireballs team captained by fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia. Article content Article content 'We are very excited about Josele joining the team,' Garcia said in a statement. 'Personally, I have known him since he could pick up a golf club and he has worked with my father as his coach throughout his golf career.' Article content The 21-year-old Ballester recently concluded his senior season at Arizona State, the alma mater of LIV stars Jon Rahm and Phil Mickelson. He finished third in the PGA Tour University standings, earning him full status on the Korn Ferry Tour, but Golf Channel reported Monday that he declined membership on the PGA Tour's top developmental circuit. Article content Although he missed the cut at the Masters in April, Ballester had a viral moment when he relieved himself in Rae's Creek on the par-5 13th hole. Article content Ballester defeated Noah Kent 2 up in the 36-hole U.S. Amateur final at Hazeltine last August. Although he is turning professional, he keeps his spot in next week's U.S. Open at Oakmont as the reigning champion of the USGA's top amateur event. Article content Ballester joins Abraham Ancer and David Puig alongside Garcia on the Fireballs. Luis Masaveu loses his full-time spot on the team, although he remains in the lineup this week because Puig has a back injury. Article content
Toronto Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- Toronto Sun
U.S. Amateur champion Jose Luis Ballester of Spain joins LIV Golf
Published Jun 04, 2025 • 1 minute read FILE - Jose Luis Ballester, of Spain, watches his tee shot on the 14th hole during the first round at the Masters golf tournament, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. Photo by David J. Phillip / AP U.S. Amateur champion Jose Luis Ballester of Spain has joined LIV Golf and will make his professional debut this week at the Saudi-funded league's Virginia event. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Ballester, who goes by the nickname Josele, signed a multiyear contract, LIV said Wednesday, and will be part of the Fireballs team captained by fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia. 'We are very excited about Josele joining the team,' Garcia said in a statement. 'Personally, I have known him since he could pick up a golf club and he has worked with my father as his coach throughout his golf career.' The 21-year-old Ballester recently concluded his senior season at Arizona State, the alma mater of LIV stars Jon Rahm and Phil Mickelson. He finished third in the PGA Tour University standings, earning him full status on the Korn Ferry Tour, but Golf Channel reported Monday that he declined membership on the PGA Tour's top developmental circuit. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Although he missed the cut at the Masters in April, Ballester had a viral moment when he relieved himself in Rae's Creek on the par-5 13th hole. Ballester defeated Noah Kent 2 up in the 36-hole U.S. Amateur final at Hazeltine last August. Although he is turning professional, he keeps his spot in next week's U.S. Open at Oakmont as the reigning champion of the USGA's top amateur event. Ballester joins Abraham Ancer and David Puig alongside Garcia on the Fireballs. Luis Masaveu loses his full-time spot on the team, although he remains in the lineup this week because Puig has a back injury. Masaveu does not have status on any other tour and he would be banned from competing in PGA Tour events for a year after his final LIV appearance. Celebrity Columnists Crime Sunshine Girls World
