Josele Ballester will not be playing this season on the Korn Ferry Tour. The Spanish golfer had earned the rights through his ranking in the PGA Tour University. He finished in third place in the ranking, which directly granted him the second division card for this year and also secured it for the next season. However, as reported by journalist Brentley Romine on Golf Channel, Josele has declined the membership.
That is the confirmed news at this time. Now it remains to be seen what the future holds for the golfer from Castellón. The truth is, there aren’t many options left. The US Amateur champion is quite clear about turning professional right away, having completed his university career with Arizona State. However, with the door to the Korn Ferry Tour closed, he will have to explore other avenues.
One option would be to play on the DP World Tour with invitations he might secure, as there is no direct bridge between the PGA Tour University and the European Circuit. The other possibility would be LIV Golf. For now, there is no confirmation in any direction from Josele himself or his team. LIV Golf has a tournament this week in Virginia. The problem with the Saudi league is that the teams are full, so unless there is some adjustment in one of the teams, there would be no space.
It is no secret the strong connection between Sergio García and Josele Ballester. They are more than friends. The Masters champion has been practically a mentor to him since he was very young. They have trained together, he has given him advice, and there is a quite close relationship, to the point that Víctor García, Sergio’s father, is Josele’s coach. In any case, the Fireballs are currently complete with Sergio himself, David Puig, Abraham Ancer, and Luis Masaveu, so it seems there would be no place for him.
Be that as it may, his withdrawal from the Korn Ferry Tour means he is directing his first professional steps elsewhere. We just need to know what the final decision is. It is likely we will find out in the coming hours. What is clear in any case is that he will play the US Open at Oakmont next week.
