Josele Ballester STUNS Golf World with Shock Move to LIV! 🚨
Spanish golf prodigy Josele Ballester has turned down the PGA Tour pathway to join LIV Golf, teaming up with Sergio Garcia and the Fireballs GC. After rising through the U.S. college ranks at Arizona State and earning Korn Ferry Tour status, the 21-year-old made a bold career move that’s lighting up headlines worldwide.
💥 Why did he walk away from the PGA Tour?
💥 What role did Sergio Garcia play in the decision?
💥 Can LIV’s no-cut format help him thrive on the global stage?
PLUS:
🏦 LIV Golf signs a blockbuster sponsorship deal with HSBC, strengthening its global identity amid ongoing PGA Tour merger talks.
🍺 Joel Dahmen brings humor to the Scottish Open after a rough round.
🏌️♂️ Tommy Fleetwood eyes Race to Dubai surge at The Renaissance Club.
🏆 And Jon Rahm is tipped by legends to win The Open at Royal Portrush!
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Josiel Ballister has made a bold career choice by turning down a pathway to the PGA Tour in favor of joining LIIV Golf and playing alongside his longtime mentor Sergio Garcia. One of the most promising talents to emerge from the US college golf system, Ballister finished third in the 2024 PGA Tour University rankings as a standout at Arizona State. That position earned him status on the corn ferry tour, the main developmental tour feeding into the PGA tour. But instead of following that traditional route, the 21-year-old Spaniard opted for LIIV Golf, aligning himself with Garcia’s Fireballs GC in June. Ballister replaced Luis Masavu on the team and made his debut at the LIIV event at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia, finishing 50th. Two weeks later, he placed 48th at Mario Golf Club in Texas. Now he’s hoping for a stronger showing as he prepares to tee it up on home soil at Elivy Golf Andeluchia. Ahead of the event, Ballister spoke about his decision to join the Breaway League and the influence Garcia has had on his career. Sergio has been more than a friend growing up. He’s been almost like a mentor, Ballister told reporters. I was fortunate to start working with his dad when I was around 14 years old. And then because of that, I got to know Sergio. The few times he was in Spain, we would always play together. He would share his knowledge about the game with me. And that’s something I’ve always been really grateful for. Now, following in his footsteps and being here under his arm, it’s pretty special. I know I’m in the right place with the right people. So, I’m really, really happy that I can share this experience with him and with the rest of my teammates. Garcia, captain of the Fireballs and a former Masters champion, has been a guiding presence in Ballisters’s development, and he made it clear he believes Elivy Golf provides the perfect environment for young players to grow. “We’ve known each other for a long time,” Garcia said. “I know the kind of person he is and the kind of family he comes from. They’re all top tier. I know the potential he has, and I just want him to have the opportunity to start out with us. It’s not easy because everyone out here is a competitor and an amazing player, but it’s probably a bit looser than starting on some other tours. Garcia emphasized the benefits of LIV’s no cut format, which guarantees that players complete all three rounds of every event. You get more repetition, Garcia explained. You can settle into a rhythm. If you’re on another tour and don’t start well, you might miss cuts and that can snowball mentally. I hope you made the right decision. I feel like he did, but in the end, it’s up to him. I just want what’s best for him, and I’ll always try to help him however I can. Ballister, Garcia, and their Fireballs teammates are expected to be the center of attention at Elivy Golf Andalucia, where the Spanish fans will no doubt rally behind their homegrown stars. For Ballister, it’s not just a tournament. It’s a chance to validate his bold decision to forge a new path in professional golf. Speaking of big moves, here’s another one that’s turning heads. LIIV Golf has announced a significant multi-year partnership with banking giant HSBC, naming the global financial institution as the league’s official international banking partner. The landmark deal is the latest commercial milestone for the Breakaway Golf League and comes just ahead of this week’s event at the iconic Real Club Verama in Andalucia, Spain. As LIV Golf continues its efforts to reshape the landscape of professional golf, the partnership with HSBC signals its commitment to long-term growth, even as talks with the PGA Tour over a potential peace deal continue behind closed doors. The recent appointment of Scott O’Neal as Elivy Golf CEO was seen as a move to help accelerate negotiations with the PGA Tour. That momentum appeared to build further when the PGA Tour brought in Brian Rolab as its own CEO last month. But while negotiations continue, O’Neal remains focused on strengthening LIIV’s brand and operations from within. And Thursday’s announcement is a step in that direction. HSBC’s track record in supporting and advancing the game of golf is inspiring and admirable and we are proud to welcome them into Elivy Golf’s growing roster of global partners, said O’Neal. HSBC’s global footprint and ongoing presence in professional tournaments align perfectly with our mission to build the game for the next era of players and fans. Few sports leagues can claim a truly global reach, making a partnership with HSBC a natural alignment in our pursuit of a shared vision. O’Neal added that the partnership offers a unique opportunity to innovate and grow the game beyond traditional audiences. We appreciate HSBC’s confidence in supporting some of the world’s biggest stars as they introduce and showcase the sport and its opportunities to new audiences worldwide. Together, we have an opportunity to engage younger fans, connect through music, culture, and innovation, and inspire the next generation, unlocking meaningful potential for both our brands and the sport we love. While the future of LIIV Golf remains uncertain amid merger talks with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, this new deal sends a strong message. The league intends to move forward with its own identity and global ambitions. As part of the agreement, HSBC will also partner with two of LIIV’s high-profile teams. Mageix GC and Crushers GC. Bryson Dambo, captain of Crushers GC and one of LIV’s biggest stars, celebrated the partnership. LIIV Golf and Crushers GC deliver both the game and golf culture to new generations and markets across the world with a competitive spirit at our core. D Shambo said, “We are proud to represent HSBC, a brand that shares our belief in access to golf and elite performance on a global stage. HSBC is no stranger to the golf world. The banking powerhouse has previously appeared as a brand partner at LIIV events and remains a longtime supporter of elite tournaments, most notably as title sponsor of the Abu Dhabi Championship on the DP World Tour. Past champions of that event include Ricky Fowler, Tommy Fleetwood, and Lee Westwood. The partnership with HSBC not only reinforces LIIV’s commercial appeal, but also further positions the league as a global player in the future of professional golf. But that’s not all making headlines today. Joel Domen kicked off the 2025 Genesis Scottish Open with self-deprecating humor after a challenging opening round at the Renaissance Club on Thursday. The fan favorite PGA Tour pro was the first to tee off at 700 a.m. local time, leading a stack field that includes world number one Scotty Sheffller, former champion Xander Chaell, Rory Mroy, and newly crowned US Open winner JJ Spawn. But Diamond scorecard reflected a frustrating round featuring three birdies offset by five bogeies, leaving him at two overpar for the day. Despite the bumpy performance, the always candid maintained his trademark good spirits. “I’m not very good at golf right now,” Domin quipped with a laugh. “But I really enjoy playing golf over here.” The 36-year-old went on to reflect on the unique challenges of Lynx golf, especially compared to the more familiar conditions on US courses. “When you don’t know where your ball is going and you don’t know where it’s going to end up, it makes Lynx golf really hard,” he explained. That’s kind of where I’m at right now. Domin highlighted the mental shift required to navigate the intricacies of link style layouts. It’s easier to get a picture in your mind of what you’re trying to do because you have to use the wind. There’s different slopes. There’s more angles you have to play out here. He said in the States, you don’t have any angles. You shut your swing thoughts off and you’re just trying to see the picture. Swing the ball high, low, different directions. You have to be really dialed in to do that. he added with a chuckle. If I’m a little bit off on one swing and the winds coming from the wrong side, it’s not good for me right now, but it’s fun. I love it. Despite a rocky start to his week in Scotland, Domin remains hopeful he can bounce back in the second round with a little help from some relaxation. I’ll regroup with a beer and a casual round, he joked, hinting that a laid-back approach might just be the key to better results on Friday. Now switching gears, Tommy Fleetwood is determined to reignite his push in the race to do bystandings as he teases it up at the Scottish Open this week. The Englishman came agonizingly close to his maiden PGA Tour victory at the Travelers Championship last month, narrowly missing out on the title to Keegan Bradley after a dramatic final hole finish. Despite the disappointment, Fleetwood appeared in good spirits at the Renaissance Club on Wednesday, happily signing autographs and posing for photos with fans. And while the Scottish Open serves as a key warm-up event for next week’s Open Championship at Royal Portrait, Fleetwood made it clear that this week holds more significance than just open prep. With the PGA Tour entering its European leg of the 2025 season, Fleetwood sees the Scottish Open as a prime opportunity to climb back into the race to do by conversation. He currently sits outside the provisional cutoff for the DP World Tours coveted category 10, trailing France’s Clement Sordet by eight points. “This is a huge week,” Fleetwood told Mirror Sport US following his proam round. “Of course, the Open is on the mind. It’s great to be playing the week before major, but right now my focus is on getting back up there in a race to Dubai. I’m way down and I need to make some moves this weekend. The Scottish Open boasts a stacked field, including world number one Scotty Sheffler, Rory Mroy, and Xanderell. But for Fleetwood, it’s also a personal mission to make up ground and reestablish himself among Europe’s elite. Earlier in the day, Rory Mroy spoke about the benefits of taking a break from competition. He skipped the travelers to recharge, but Fleetwood doesn’t seem to share that sentiment, insisting that a short break is all he needs. It’s only been 2 weeks. He said, “We don’t often get that much time off, but you get a few stretches earlier in the year where two weeks off is normal.” This felt like one of those spells. Fleekwood, who lives in Dubai but splits time playing across both the PGA and DP World Tours, noted the mental shift that comes with transitioning back to Lynx Golf in the UK summer. Playing in the US, then coming back to the UK, especially with Lynx Golf. It just feels like a big change. Maybe that makes two weeks feel longer than it is, but honestly, it’s not a big break. I’m ready to go. With strong motivation, home soil momentum, and one eye on the open, Fleetwood’s focus this week is crystal clear. Compete, contend, and claw his way back up the race to Dubai leaderboard. That brings us to our next update, one that’s causing a serious buzz. Paul McInley and Brandell Shambbley are both backing John Rom as the LIV golf player most likely to lift the clar jug at this year’s Open Championship. As LIIV golf wraps up its stop at Vorama, Rum is leading the charge of breakaway league stars heading into the season’s final major at Royal Portrait. Despite fierce competition, including Rory Mroy and Scotty Sheffller, who remain the bookie’s top two favorites, Rom is currently ranked third and is drawing serious attention due to his resurgence in major championships this year and his strong record on links courses, particularly in Ireland. John Rom is the obvious choice, McInley said during a media call with the golf channel. I ran the Irish Open at Lahinch in 2019 when he won it. He was phenomenal. His shotmaking on that Lynx course was outstanding. McInley also highlighted Rahm’s victory at Port Stewart just a stones throw from Royal Portrish making it two Irish open winds on Lynx’s terrain. He has that three/arter swing which is perfect for keeping the ball low and out of the wind. Ideal for Lynx golf. His short game is elite. He really has the full package. McInley added, “I’d be genuinely surprised if by the end of his career, Rum hasn’t won an open championship. His game is tailor made for it. Brle shambbley echoed the sentiment, emphasizing Rahm’s credentials, not just among LIV golfers, but in the entire field. If you’re looking for someone who can seriously challenge Scotty Sheffller, Rahm stands out. Shambbley noted. He reminds me of Lee Trevino. Crafty, creative, and precise, but with more power. And we all know how great Trevino was at the open. As the golf world turns its focus to Royal Portrait, Rum appears poised to prove that he’s not just the top LIV threat, but a legitimate favorite to claim a third major title.
