The DP World Tour Q School is becoming a challenging arena for several LIV golfers seeking a new perspective. José Luis Ballester, Luis Masaveu, Sam Horsfield, and Michael La Sasso – these four names are in contention as they have reached the second phase of the grueling Q School. Their mission: a highly coveted spot in the Final Stage in November, and with it, the chance for playing rights on the European elite circuit for the 2027 season.
First up is José Luis Ballester, the 23-year-old Fireballs GC player. He secured an eighth-place finish at the first Qualifying in Huddersfield with a stellar round of 65 strokes. Next week, he will continue his campaign at Fontanals Golf Club in Girona, where he will meet DP World Tour stalwarts Shubhankar Sharma and Robert Rock, among others. His Fireballs teammate Luis Masaveu also delivered a strong performance in Huddersfield and will tee off next at Golf Las Pinaillas in Albacete.
The Battle for a Tour Card
But it's not just the youngsters who are hungry for the DP World Tour. Sam Horsfield, a seasoned pro, is also back in action. The Englishman, who previously earned a card via Q School in 2017, is trying his luck at Isla Canela Links in Huelva. Then there's Michael La Sasso, the 22-year-old American. He impressed in the first Stage in Germany with an 18th-place finish and now aims to take the next step at Desert Springs Golf Club in Almería. In December, he is already scheduled to compete in the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.
This second phase is the ultimate bottleneck. Those who advance from here will proceed to the Final Stage at Infinitum Golf on Spain's Costa Daurada. There, from November 6th to 11th, the stakes get serious. 156 golfers will compete over 108 holes, but in the end, there are only 15 coveted DP World Tour cards available for the 2027 season. It's a grueling battle!
Uncertain Future: The LIV Factor
The timing of this Q School event couldn't be more critical. Many LIV players are currently viewing the planned LIV structure for 2027 with mixed feelings. At the same time, the DP World Tour has made it clear: anyone participating in the new LIV model does not have a direct path to membership. This makes Q School a real game-changer for all those striving for a regular DP World Tour future. Ballester has already announced that full DP World Tour membership for the upcoming season is a clear goal for him.
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LIV Players Staying/Leaving LIV 2.0 Updated 10/19/2026 - Noon Not much since last update... except based on his comments in India, Meronk has been moved to Speculated Gone vs Announced Leaving. Still likely he leaves, but until he firmly states he is, he'll remain orange.
