Former LIV Golf pro known for red-faced Masters moment tops Q-School

Former LIV Golf player Josele Ballester says he felt little pressure as he secured his DP World Tour card for the 2027 season at the final stage of qualifying school.

The 2024 US Amateur champion finished the gruelling six-round contest at Infinitum Golf in Tarragona, Spain, on 32 under par to share top spot with compatriot Rocco Repetto-Taylor.

Only the top 20 players and ties earned full playing privileges for next season, with South Korea's Ben An - another former LIV Golf player - among the notable names to secure a card.

Sam Horsfield, Michael La Sasso, Yosuke Asaji, Luis Masaveu and Thomas Pieters were part of the LIV contingent that fell short.

"Super exciting and super proud of the job that myself and my caddie have done throughout all this week," Ballester told the DP World Tour's official website in the immediate aftermath of victory.

"It's been my first time here in final stage and to get it done in such a way, it's pretty remarkable and I'm pretty happy about it."

Ballester admitted there was some "extra pressure" given what was at stake, but said he knew he would have "a decent amount" of opportunities next season.

Related:

• DP World Tour Q-School final stage results

Several LIV players are in talks with the DP World Tour over securing a select number of playing opportunities next season following the breakaway tour's collapse.

"To get it done this way, especially sharing co-lead at the standings for the year and me getting the higher status that I can get from final stage makes it even better," Ballester added.

"So yeah, I'm pretty happy that I'm going to have a pretty full calendar next season."

Ballester, who made headlines on his major debut at the 2025 Masters when he was filmed urinating into Rae's Creek, said his motivation at qualifying school was clear.

"I just wanted to prove it to myself," he said.

Ballester added that he had been concerned about his putting in the build-up to the tournament.

"It's been a little hard the last month, month and a half [and] I've been doing a lot of work dealing with some anxiety on the greens.

"Being able to go that low on these courses, which demand you to go low, and feel comfortable and confident with my putting was the best part about it."

Ballester, who joined LIV Golf last June, said he was eager to make the most of a full season on the DP World Tour.

"I've been fortunate again to compete already on the DP World Tour and have done all right.

"I know I can do much better than what I've already done.

"But yeah, excited to have that full year, that full calendar to again prove myself where I'm capable of."

DP World Tour Qualifying School: Top 20 Finishers