Luis Masaveu: Spanish star of the future debuts on LIV
Luis Masaveu Roncal is a shining example of LIV Golf’s determination to nurture and promote the brightest young talents in the game among its star-studded roster.
The Spaniard, who turned 22 in December 2024, has made giant strides in his fledgling career and has already written his name in the history books by becoming the first Spanish amateur to make the cut at The Open Championship.
Masaveu was snapped up by Fireballs GC captain Sergio Garcia to replace Eugenio Chacarra on his all-Spanish speaking team.
The promising youngster completes the Fireballs line-up along with David Puig of Spain and Mexico’s Abraham Ancer.
Masaveu was born in Madrid and honed his skills playing out of his hometown club La Moraleja. He already has two amateur titles under his belt, was a semi-finalist at the 2024 US Amateur and has also collected the Low-Am trophy twice at the Spanish Open, in 2022 and again in 2024.
“We’re excited about him,” Garcia said. “He’s a really good, exciting young Spanish player.
“Obviously it’s his first year as a pro and coming in and playing with the big guns, I think it’s going to be a good learning experience.
“But all three of us, not only myself but Abraham and David, we’re going to be there to support him, to cheer him on and make sure that he can enjoy his game and play the way he can play.”
Individual honors at the 2023 Tailhade Cup
Individual honors at the 2023 Tailhade Cup
In November 2023, Masaveu represented Team Spain at the Tailhade Cup, hosted by the Los Lagartos Country Club in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Although the Spanish duo had to settle for fifth place in the overall team event, Masaveu’s emerging talent was clear for all to see as he secured a dominant victory in the individual tournament.
Masaveu carded rounds of 66, 70 and 69 to finish 8-under-par, three strokes ahead of his nearest challenger, Felix Bouchard of team champions Canada.
The pair began the final round tied for the lead and while Masaveu shot an impressive 2-under 69 that included an eagle on the par-5 15th hole, Bouchard could only manage a 72.
Second amateur tournament win in Portugal
Second amateur tournament win in Portugal
Masaveu won his second amateur tournament in February 2024, just three months after his maiden victory in Argentina.
This time the margins were tighter as Masaveu finished 11-under-par after 54 holes at the Penina Hotel course in Portimao, Portugal, to win by one shot over Abel Derksen of the Netherlands.
Due to stormy weather the tournament was reduced to three rounds, but there was no blowing Masaveu off course as he carded a 3-under 70 in his final round, which included five birdies and two bogeys.
Making history at The Open Championship
Making history at The Open Championship
Masaveu was to become a history maker at the 152nd Open Championship in Troon in July 2024, but very nearly did not make it past qualifying after losing his clubs travelling back from a tournament in Denmark.
The Spaniard had to make up a bag of old clubs and was missing a 3-wood as he grappled with other Open hopefuls at Royal Cinque Ports.
There were four places available over two rounds of golf and after the scheduled 36 holes the first three spots were taken, but Masaveu was one of three players tied in fourth.
The Spaniard was left facing a sudden death playoff with Stinger GC’s Branden Grace and English golfer Jamie Rutherford.
At the second playoff hole it was Masaveu who grabbed the fourth and final qualifying place after draining a 20-foot birdie putt.
There were 12 amateurs competing at the 2024 British Open but there cannot have been many who had a caddie with the same credentials as Masaveu’s bag man, Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño.
The seven-time DP Tour winner is also Masaveu’s coach and mentor and was perfectly placed to see his young compatriot shoot a 73 and a 75 in the first two rounds to become the first ever Spanish amateur to make the cut at The Open.
In testing conditions over the weekend, Masaveu followed up with a 78 and a 76 to finish The Open in 78th place, 18-over-par.
He was one of just four amateurs who had made it past day two and was one of those awarded the low amateur Bronze Medal for making the cut.
Influence of caddie and coach Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño
Influence of caddie and coach Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño
In October 2024, Masaveu turned professional having reached a career high of 16th place in the world amateur golf ranking.
A month later he was making his Asian Tour debut at the 2024 International Series Qatar. Again, he had the support of Fernández-Castaño, 44, as his caddie, coach and mentor all rolled into one.
“I always say I have the easiest job because he is such an amazing ball striker,” said Fernández-Castaño.
“He has got everything, he has all the tools, and I think he is going to be one of those bright Spanish stars.
“I have known Luis for a few years now, and a year and half ago he asked for help with putting, which was the weakest part of his game in a way.
“We started working on that together and he asked me to get a little more involved in the swing and that is what we are doing now.”
The experienced pro modestly downplayed what a busy time he had on his hands in Qatar.
Fernández-Castaño had also been invited to take part in the tournament as a player and had his own daughter Lola by his side making her debut as his caddie.
Masaveu opened with a five-under-par 67 in the first round and made the cut at 8-under, before going on to seal his first place in a top 10 as a professional, finishing T9.
Veteran player, caddie and dad Fernández-Castaño also made the cut and finished the event T69.
Joining Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs at LIV Golf
Joining Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs at LIV Golf
A week into 2025, Masaveu was unveiled as the latest member of the all-Spanish speaking team Fireballs GC.
Asked about the opportunity to play alongside Garcia, who was the champion golfer at the 2017 Masters, Masaveu said: “It’s amazing, it’s awesome.
“I’ve been watching him since I was a kid, him winning the Masters and in the Ryder Cup, so, it’s just incredible.
“I’m just really, really happy to be here and I’m just going to try to learn the most I can with him.”
