Reigning U.S. Amateur Champion Josele Ballester Joins LIV Golf, Debuts Virginia Event

Jose Luis Ballester, the 21-year-old reigning U.S. Amateur champion from Spain, has signed a multiyear contract with LIV Golf and will make his professional debut at the 2025 LIV Golf Virginia event. He will join the Fireballs team captained by Sergio Garcia, a fellow Spaniard who has known Ballester since his early golfing days. Ballester recently finished his senior season at Arizona State University, joining a notable group of LIV players from the school, including Jon Rahm and Phil Mickelson. Despite earning full status on the Korn Ferry Tour, Ballester declined membership on the PGA Tour's developmental circuit in favor of LIV Golf. He retains his spot in the upcoming U.S. Open as the reigning U.S. Amateur champion and will replace fellow Spaniard Luis Masaveu on the Fireballs roster. Ballester's signing is seen as a major addition to LIV Golf, continuing the league's trend of recruiting top collegiate talent.