Jose Luis Ballester, the reigning U.S. Amateur champion from Spain, is making his professional debut this week by joining LIV Golf. The 21-year-old, known by the nickname “Josele,” has signed a multiyear deal with the Saudi-funded league and will compete as part of the Fireballs team, led by fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia.
Garcia expressed excitement about Ballester’s addition, noting their long-standing relationship. “I’ve known him since he first picked up a golf club, and my father has coached him throughout his career,” Garcia said.
Ballester just wrapped up his senior year at Arizona State University, the same school where LIV stars Jon Rahm and Phil Mickelson played. Despite finishing third in the PGA Tour University rankings—earning full Korn Ferry Tour status—Ballester opted not to accept the PGA Tour’s developmental path, according to a Golf Channel report earlier this week.
While he didn’t make the cut at this year’s Masters, Ballester had a memorable moment that caught attention online when he was seen relieving himself in Rae’s Creek on the 13th hole.
Last August, Ballester won the U.S. Amateur title at Hazeltine, defeating Noah Kent 2 up in a 36-hole final. Even with his move to the professional ranks, he’ll still compete in next week’s U.S. Open at Oakmont as the reigning U.S. Amateur champion.
Ballester now joins teammates Abraham Ancer and David Puig on the Fireballs, along with captain Garcia. Luis Masaveu, who doesn’t hold status on any other professional tour, will temporarily stay in the lineup this week due to a back injury keeping Puig out. However, this is expected to be Masaveu’s final appearance, as players leaving LIV can face a one-year ban from PGA Tour events.