The 2026 LIV Golf season ended in style with Michael La Sasso showcasing his immense talent by holding off Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau to claim the title in Indianapolis.
The 22-year-old became the youngest winner in the LIV Golf League and gave a shout out to Phil Mickelson and Jackson Koivun in his post-win interviews - while also admitting he didn't know where or when he would be playing again.
Much was made of NCAA Division 1 men's champion La Sasso's decision to give up a place in The Masters to join Mickelson's HyFlyers team back in January.
Mickelson hasn't been playing on LIV this season and La Sasso had struggled, finishing inside the top 30 just once before finally showing his talent when he shot 60 in Indianapolis then held off Rahm and DeChambeau to claim his maiden title.
"I'm shaking if I'm being honest. It was unbelievable," said La Sasso after winning the final LIV event of the season by fending off the league's two biggest stars.
"I definitely saw the names starting to rise up on the leaderboard, especially early. I know we teed off a little bit later, so I knew I had some holes coming in to kind of shake them off a little bit.
"Seeing those names on the leaderboard, those are guys I grew up watching and admiring, so knowing I was able to hold him off, that's even more special, to be honest. I think kind of just set the scene for it. It was a perfect day."
With doubts surrounding LIV's future though, such a huge golfing talent can't build on this momentum as he's not sure when or where he'll be able to play next.
"That's a great question. I'm honestly not sure," said La Sasso. "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."
Mickelson enjoys La Sasso victory
Although Mickelson has been absent from golf for most of the year dealing with a family health issue, La Sasso revealed he has been keeping in touch with his HyFlyers team.
"He [Mickelson] sent us a text last night," said La Sasso. "I know he was watching, said it was the most fun he's had. I'm sure he was looking at it us, and I'm thankful for everything he's done.
"He's an absolute legend of the game. He was absolutely unbelievable to me the entire year. I really can't thank him enough for everything he did for me."
Mickelson had faith that La Sasso had the talent to thrive but it didn't show for most of the season, with just one T12 and seven finishes of 41st of worse.
The finish in Indianapolis showed exactly what Mickelson saw in La Sasso, and why the youngster kept his confidence.
"It's definitely been a rocky year," said La Sasso. "I had a lot of good guys in my circle that kept pushing me to do the best I can. I knew coming into this week that something special might happen. It's pretty unbelievable."
La Sasso v Koivun comparison
There's a fascinating comparison between La Sasso and Koivun, who were 2025 Walker Cup teammates as star college players but have taken different routes into pro golf.
While La Sasso went to LIV, Koivun joined the PGA Tour, won the 3M Open on his third start as a pro and made the FedExCup Playoffs by finishing in the top 70 despite just five counting starts.
Both young stars grew up in North Carolina and are good friends, so La Sasso couldn't help aim a jib at his buddy after Koivun chunked his final tee shot of his 3M Open victory.
"You know, there's a good buddy of mine that I play a lot of golf with at home. He just moved to Jupiter. He won early this year," said La Sasso.
"He won the 3M, Jackson Koivun, and I kind of stood up on this tee shot knowing it was pretty similar to the one he had there and I knew I wasn't going to toe-chunk it like he did. Kind of hit a better ball there.
"But I'm sure I'll give him something for that back home."
Koivun has PGA Tour status safely banked so knows where his future lies, but for La Sasso until LIV Golf's future is resolved his is still up in the air.
Given the talent he showd in Indianapolis though, there should be no shortage of invites, primarily on the DP World Tour, available to him if he's interested.
