U.S. Amateur champ Ballester of Spain joins LIV

GAINESVILLE, Va. -- U.S. Amateur champion Jose Luis Ballester of Spain has joined LIV Golf and volition marque his nonrecreational debut this week astatine the Saudi-funded league's Virginia event.

Ballester, who goes by the nickname Josele, signed a multiyear contract, LIV said Wednesday, and volition beryllium portion of the Fireballs squad captained by chap Spaniard Sergio Garcia.

"We are precise excited astir Josele joining the team," Garcia said successful a statement. "Personally, I person known him since helium could prime up a play nine and helium has worked with my begetter arsenic his manager passim his play career."

The 21-year-old Ballester precocious concluded his elder play astatine Arizona State, the alma mater of LIV stars Jon Rahm and Phil Mickelson. He finished 3rd successful the PGA Tour University standings, earning him afloat presumption connected the Korn Ferry Tour, but Golf Channel reported Monday that helium declined rank connected the PGA Tour's apical developmental circuit.

Although helium missed the chopped astatine the Masters successful April, Ballester had a viral infinitesimal erstwhile helium relieved himself successful Rae's Creek connected the par-5 13th hole.

Ballester defeated Noah Kent 2 up successful the 36-hole U.S. Amateur last astatine Hazeltine past August. Although helium is turning professional, helium keeps his spot successful adjacent week's U.S. Open astatine Oakmont arsenic the reigning champion of the USGA's apical amateur event.

Ballester joins Abraham Ancer and David Puig alongside Garcia connected the Fireballs. Luis Masaveu loses his full-time spot connected the team, though helium remains successful the lineup this week due to the fact that Puig has a backmost injury.

Masaveu does not person presumption connected immoderate different circuit and helium would beryllium banned from competing successful PGA Tour events for a twelvemonth aft his last LIV appearance.