Michael La Sasso opens up on Phil Mickelson's absence after shock LIV Golf win
Six-time major champion Phil Mickelson hand-picked Michael La Sasso for his LIV Golf team.
Michael La Sasso said there was no sense of bitterness in celebrating his first LIV Golf victory without Phil Mickelson.
The six-time major champion played a key role in bringing the former NCAA champion to the breakaway tour for the 2026 campaign.
La Sasso gave up a spot in the Masters to sign for the HyFlyers and was undoubtedly relishing the prospect of learning from one of the game's greatest players.
But a private family matter has restricted Mickelson to just one appearance this season.
La Sasso's maiden season in the LIV Golf League has been fairly miserable, with the 22-year-old registering just one top-15 finish before securing a surprise win last week in Indianapolis.
The American held off charges from major champions Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm to claim his first professional title.
Asked if it was bittersweet not to have Mickelson there in person to celebrate his achievement, La Sasso said: "No, he sent us a text last night.
"I know he was watching, said it was the most fun he's had. I'm sure he was looking at us, and I'm thankful for everything he's done."
La Sasso said he had been in communication with Mickelson throughout the year.
"He's an absolute legend of the game," he added.
"He was absolutely unbelievable to me the entire year. I really can't thank him enough for everything he did for me."
La Sasso's unlikely victory came amid continued uncertainty over the future of LIV Golf.
In April, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) confirmed it would no longer bankroll the venture.
LIV Golf has secured an unnamed investor to take the league forward without PIF backing but faces a race against time to ensure enough players commit their futures to a reimagined league.
It's understood LIV's roster has until 1 September to commit, with a trimmed down schedule of 10 events expected for 2027.
England's Tyrrell Hatton appears destined for the exit door and may be followed by Rahm.
DeChambeau reiterated his optimism for the future and declared he was proud of what LIV have achieved in its five-year history.
La Sasso said it had been "a rocky year" and he was not sure what the future holds for him or where he will play next.
"That's a great question," he said. "I'm honestly not sure.
"I'm ready to go back home and spend some time around my family and the people I love.
"I'm just taking it week by week."
Ben Smith joined the GolfMagic team in September 2021, initially as a content executive.
These days, he assumes the position of content manager.
