Michael La Sasso’s first pro victory was one to remember.
The 22-year-old Raleigh native hit a spectacular 40-yard pitch to within a foot of the cup and tapped in a winning birdie on the final hole Sunday to win the season-ending LIV Golf tournament at Chatham Hills Golf Club near Indianapolis.
La Sasso, who shot a final-round 65, finished at 18-under-par 262, outdueling superstars John Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau down the stretch. Rahm finished one shot behind, DeChambeau and Sergio Garcia were two off the pace.
Missing several birdie opportunities early in the round, La Sasso trailed Rahm on the back nine before rallying with back-to-back birdies at Nos. 13 and 14 before tapping in the winner.
“I just kind of waited for my moment,” La Sasso told Fox Sports viewers. “I wanted to come out here and put on a show and do the best I can.”
With La Sasso’s performance, the Triangle can claim five young players among the best players in the world. Akshay Bhatia (No. 15), Ryan Gerard (No. 17) and Alex Smalley (23) have each qualified for the PGA Tour’s Tour Championship. Ben Griffin of Chapel Hill (No. 41) made it to the second round of the FedExCup playoffs.
That group doesn’t include former PGA Tour member Doc Redman, who will rejoin the PGA Tour next year after promotion from the Korn Ferry Tour.
La Sasso came to his final hole, the par-5 18th, needing birdie to win or par to tie Rahm, who with playing partner DeChambeau had finished a few minutes earlier.
“You’re looking at the birth of a real star,” said Fox analyst David Feherty, a former European Ryder Cup player.
La Sasso’s dramatic pitch at 18, carried onto the front of the green and rolled gently toward the cup cut near the middle of the putting surfaces. The former N.C. State and Ole Miss golfer celebrated with parents, Mike and Karla, on the 18th green.
Never in contention during LIV’s 11 previous events this season, La Sasso grabbed the spotlight by shooting 60 in Friday’s second round. He led by one shot entering the final round.
Now, La Sasso will have to wait to find out the future of LIV Golf, which lost its major funding from the Saudi Public Investment Fund. La Sasso is reported to have signed a multi-year deal in January.
If LIV Golf does not return for another year, La Sasso’s access to the PGA Tour is murky. Though he never joined the PGA Tour, he has no status on that tour. He gave up a likely spot through PGA University when he left Ole Miss in January to join the LIV HyFlyers, a team that had been captained by Phil Mickelson.
If LIV folds or if it folds after PGA Tour Qualifying School in December, he might have to consider other options. He has reportedly signed up for the upcoming DP World Tour qualifying tournament.
La Sasso’s potential as a new young star and the fact he never joined and quit the PGA Tour could conceivably convince the PGA Tour to allow him to attempt to join the PGA Tour through Q-School or success via sponsor’s exemptions.
