Michael La Sasso made headlines when he chose to leave college early and join LIV Golf ahead of the 2026 season, turning down the chance to play at Augusta in the process.
After a turbulent winter that saw both Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed leave, signing La Sasso was a statement move for the league.
LIV had struggled to bring in star names during that period, so convincing La Sasso to turn pro and sign with the HyFlyers, thereby giving up his spot in this year’s Masters, was seen as a significant win.
Nevertheless, early signs suggest the 21-year-old’s gamble might prove to be a poor decision.
Michael La Sasso has yet to find his feet with LIV Golf
There have been flashes of promise. La Sasso shot a five-under-par third round in Riyadh and followed it up with a six-under round in Adelaide. But overall, his early results have not lived up to the hype surrounding his decision to turn pro.
He finished tied for 55th in Hong Kong, with only Sam Horsfield below him on the leaderboard. And after three events, he has posted an over-par round in each one.
Consequently, questions must arise regarding his readiness for the highest level, especially now that LIV is transitioning to a 72-hole format in 2026.
It is still early days, and Anthony Kim’s win in Australia is a reminder not to judge too quickly. But as the season picks up pace, La Sasso will be feeling the heat to deliver better results soon.
Michael La Sasso still waiting for breakthrough performance
There will be more players relegated this season, making it even tougher for those struggling to pick up points to stay out of danger.
It is worth noting that relegation is not the end of the road on LIV. For instance, Kim secured his place in the 2026 league by finishing third in the Promotions Event back in January.
But if La Sasso cannot find a way to turn things around, he might start to question whether leaving college early was the right move, especially with other paths available into pro golf.
If he does look to return, he would likely face a suspension before being eligible for another PGA Tour event. So while joining Phil Mickelson’s team came with a substantial payday, there is a real chance this decision could end up delaying his progress.
No one doubts La Sasso’s ability. But there is no denying that his start to life on LIV has been slower than expected.
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