LIV Golf Lands U.S. Amateur Champ in major team shake up

LIV Golf have announced a new signing just days before the Virginia event

Ross Kilvington|June 4, 2025

Categories: LIV Golf

Keywords: Fireballs GC, LIV Golf, Ross Kilvington, Sergio Garcia

LIV Golf have confirmed a new signing ahead of the Virginia event this week. 2024 U.S. Amateur champion Jose Ballester joins Fireballs GC, replacing Luis Masaveu, who will drop down to become a reserve for the team.

The Spaniard is ranked No.5 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking and he won the U.S Amateur and the 2020 Spanish Amateur championship.

Josele Ballester of Fireballs GC seen during the practice round before the start of LIV Golf Virginia at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club on Wednesday, June 04, 2025 in Gainesville, Virginia. — Josele Ballester of Fireballs GC (Pedro Salado/LIV Golf)

He isn’t the first player from Arizona state to join LIV, joining the likes of Jon Rahm, Phil Mickelson, David Puig and Paul Casey as former alumni in the breakaway circuit.

The 21-year-old made his debut at the Masters earlier this year, but went on to miss the cut at Augusta.

Rather than forge a career on the PGA Tour, Ballester has opted to make the switch to LIV Golf and will make his professional debut this week for the team.

“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,” said the Spaniard.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to join Fireballs GC and continue to learn from Sergio and other greats.”

Sergio Garcia eyes top spot in the LIV Golf team standings after signing Jose Ballester

Sergio Garcia and his team have performed wonderful this season. heading into LIV Golf Virginia, Fireballs GC currently occupy second in the team standings.

Sergio Garcia will be Jose Ballester’s captain at Fireballs GC (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Legion XIII are top by a margin of 21 points, but this deficit could be narrowed by some good performances this week.

“We are very excited about Josele joining the team,” said Garcia after Ballester was confirmed as the new signing.

“Personally, I have known him (Josele) since he could pick up a golf club and he has worked with my father (Victor) as his coach throughout his golf career.

“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.”

Signing Ballester on a multi-year deal could turn into a shrewd move by LIV Golf, no doubt about that.

With Garcia at the helm, he will certainly learn plenty and has a chance to showcase his talents early on at the eighth event of the 2025 season in Virginia.

Ross Kilvington

Ross is a freelance writer who has written about golf for the last 3 years. His work has featured in publications such as Golf Monthly and Today's Golfer, and now Golf Today, covering every aspect of the game. Despite first picking up a club aged 11, highlights on the golf course are few and far between. An Eagle on the par-4 16th at Kinghorn stands out (who cares if it was only 290 yards)! Having two daughters, under the age of 7, means Ross spends more time writing about golf rather than playing it these days.