Spanish golfer Jose Luis Ballester, who made headlines at the 2025 Masters, is reportedly set to turn professional with LIV Golf and bypass the Korn Ferry Tour
21:17 ET, 03 Jun 2025Updated 21:18 ET, 03 Jun 2025
Jose Luis Ballester is set for a move to LIV Golf upon turning professional(Image: Shanna Lockwood/Augusta National/Getty Images)
Jose Luis Ballester, the 21-year-old Spanish golfer who made waves at the 2025 Masters, is reportedly set to turn pro with LIV Golf, bypassing the PGA Tour’s Korn Ferry Tour.
This decision comes after he turned down a Korn Ferry Tour card, which he earned by finishing third in the PGA Tour University rankings.
Ballester’s choice has garnered significant attention, particularly in light of his controversial incident at Augusta National. During the first round of the Masters, he was caught urinating in Rae’s Creek, a breach of etiquette that quickly became viral news.
READ MORE: Mary Lou Retton ‘vanishes’ with Olympic hero’s home ‘deserted’ after arrest scandalREAD MORE: Dentist set for emotional U.S. Open return after earning shock spot at Oakmont
At first, Ballester brushed off the incident, stating he would do it again if necessary.
However, after missing the cut and facing public backlash, he issued a formal apology to irate Augusta National officials.
Despite the controversy, Ballester’s golfing achievements are noteworthy. He clinched the 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship, becoming the first Spaniard to do so, and has been a standout player at Arizona State.
Jose Luis Ballester won the 2020 Spanish Amateur, 2023 European Amateur and 2024 U.S. Amateur(Image: Getty)
Ballester had a tough time at the Masters, however, recording rounds of 76 and 78, resulting in a 10-over-par total of 154 and missing the cut by eight strokes.
His performance included a particularly challenging front nine during the first round, but he managed to steady himself with pars on the back nine.
His close relationship with Sergio García, who captains the Fireballs GC in LIV Golf, has sparked rumors about his potential move to the league.
READ MORE: Rory McIlroy gets wake-up call during private U.S. Open scouting tripREAD MORE: Amanda Balionis posts cryptic message as Rory McIlroy reunion awaits
Reports suggest that Ballester could join the Fireballs team, possibly replacing Mexican golfer Abraham Ancer, to form an entirely Spanish lineup.
As of now, there has been no official confirmation from LIV Golf or Ballester’s representatives regarding his future plans.
However, sources indicate that an announcement could be imminent, with a debut as early as this week.
Ballester’s potential move to LIV Golf marks a significant shift in his career, aligning with a growing trend of young golfers opting for the league’s lucrative offers over traditional PGA Tour pathways.
While his Masters incident remains a talking point, his golfing talent continues to garner attention, and his next steps will be closely watched by the golfing community.
