LIV Golf signs controversial Masters ace, Garcia | Sports News

Golfing sensation Josele Ballester, who triggered controversy during The Masters, has simply been revealed because the new star signing for LIV Golf, becoming a member of Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs squad.

Currently holding the No. 6 spot within the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Ballester is prepped to show professional on the upcoming LIV Golf occasion in Virginia, with the motion set to start out Friday. It’s been reported that LIV Golf just lately instructed gamers they will not be provided profitable signing bonuses to increase. The likes of Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson now face unsure futures with the league.

The 21 yr previous Arizona State product steps in for Luis Masaveu on the Fireballs’ lineup, although Masaveu, 22, will nonetheless be on deck as a reserve participant – and he is slated to play this week because of David Puig being out with a back concern.

Ballester’s ties with Garcia go approach back, each hailing from the Castellón province of Spain, with Garcia having swung golf equipment since childhood underneath the tutelage of Victor Garcia, Sergio’s father, who has coached Ballester for years.

Garcia expressed his enthusiasm in a assertion: “We are very excited about Josele joining the team,” and added, “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.”

Garcia eagerly awaits Ballester’s skilled launch, saying, “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.”

In his last school season, Ballester emerged as a top-tier identify, touchdown fourth within the NCAA Championship and securing third place in PGA Tour University rankings, which earned him a path to the Korn Ferry Tour.

But Ballester has turned down the prospect, opting as a substitute for a reunion with Garcia on LIV. Reflecting gratitude, the previous Sun Devil expressed: “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. I am very excited about the opportunity to join Fireballs GC and continue to learn from Sergio and other greats.”

With an spectacular observe file, Ballester clinched the U.S. Amateur title final yr and added the European Amateur trophy to his cupboard in 2023. His victory at Hazeltine not solely earned him the U.S. Amateur crown but in addition an unique invitation to compete at Augusta National for The Masters in April.

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During the celebrated occasion, he was grouped with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and two-time main winner Justin Thomas.

However, Ballester did not make the cut after ending 10-over-par. Still, the competitors served as an invaluable expertise, offering him with the prospect to be taught firsthand from some of the sport’s best gamers at one of probably the most revered venues in golf.

Moreover, Ballester’s first Masters look provided a memorable, albeit unconventional, lesson in Augusta National’s storied traditions. In an unorthodox incident, he was seen relieving himself in Rae’s Creek during the initial spherical—an act that, whereas controversial, amusingly garnered him applause upon his temporary return from the creek bank.

Criticism flew after he doubled down on his actions during a press convention, stating he’d do it throughout again, however after the second spherical, he recanted and provided an apology.

“I already apologized to the club, and I think we just move on from this moment. It will not happen again,” Ballester instructed the media. “I know there has been a lot said about what happened on social media, but I try to stay away from all that.

“A pair of mates reached out simply to say ‘Hey, you will be positive. I’m nonetheless your buddy.’ So it is good to have these mates which have your back when the information is just not that good about you.”