Top PGA golfers to watch: the tour’s rising stars
August 29, 2025
by Kyle Moss
A new generation of golfers is making a big mark on the Professional Golf Landscape. From the established PGA Tour to the burgeoning Liv Golf League and the proven grounds of the PGA Tour University and the Korn Ferry and DP World Tours, these rising stars don’t just compete; They won and set the stage for an exciting era in sports.
And while others have followed in the footsteps of the greats to learn this game in famous courses like Ireland or the Los Angeles Country Club in the US, where you can get a tee time and make a new friend.
Of course there are many ways to build a golf career, with smaller formats like the Japan Tour and the Asian Tour showing that they work well. But those poised to make the biggest impact and the fastest by winning the most titles are the PGA Golfers who are rising in wave after week at the PGA, which is where this list will begin.
Here are the top 10 youngest golfers (25 and under) on the PGA Tour and beyond
1. Ludvig Åberg, 25
Ludvig Åberg seems destined for not only his biggest win soon, but also more majors on the way. The 25-year-old Swede took the golf world by storm with his powerful driver and composure, quickly establishing himself as a top contender. He was the first PGA Tour University student to earn immediate tour membership, after going on to win twice and play in the Ryder Cup in his first season. His recent top ten finish at Augusta National in 2025 is another reason why this page The top golfer in the world.
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2. Tom Kim, 23
Tom Kim is the all-time PGA Tour winner, earning 3 of those wins before turning 21. He is known for his consistent short game, strong bogey-to-green frequency, all while showing maturity that is impressive for anyone, especially an impressive 23-year-old.
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3. Nick Dunlap, 21
Nick Dunlap won the US Junior Amateur Championship (2021), the US Amateur Championship (2023), and was the top ranked amateur in the world. But then he made headlines with his historic run at the American Express Championship as an amateur — the first amateur to win on the pro circuit in 33 years — and went on to win in that career.
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4. Akshay Bhatia, 23
Before becoming a winner of the PGA Tour, Akshay Bhatia already put together an impressive career in amateur golf as the best drive, then represented the US in the genior Ryder Cup (2018) – The US Walker Cup (2019) – Member of the highest Walker Cup team. He plays with a unique, educational twist and a fearless, aggressive approach, and continues to be a consistent threat.
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5. Michael Thorbjorsen, 23
Michael Thorbjorsen was very shy after becoming the US Junior Amateur Champion in 2018. He quickly established himself as a consistent contender after earning PGA 1 status in his PGA Tour U class. He finished runner-up in the 2024 John Deere Classic in his third start, and was also driven in the Corales Puntacana Championship. Next you see Eyeing is the first big competition.
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6. Karl Herips, 24
Karl Vilips is a native of Australia who turned Pro in June 2024, and quickly won the Korn Ferry trip to the Utah Championship, in a way that was named after the year. He successfully graduated from the PGA Tour, and defended his first title at the Puerto Rico Open in 2025 Puerto Rico with his fourth start, receiving a two-year exemption and entry into major events. He became the first player to sign on Tiger Woods’ Sun Day Apvagel Line, and received a direct message from Tiger after the win.
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7. William Mouw, 24
Training at Pepperdine University, William Mouw had a big impact on the waves’ 2021 NCAA Championship Team and received many American honors. He turned professional in 2023 and captured his first PGA Tour win two years later at Rocket with financial support, showing off his elite ball selection and targeting.
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8. Aldrich Potgieter, 20
The youngest on the list at 20 years old, Aldrich Potgieter is the impressive South African who has firmly established himself as one of golf’s most dynamic and promising young talents. He is already a winner on the PGA Tour, becoming the youngest winner on the tour in 2025, where he leads everyone in distance eating. You get a combination of explosive power off the tee and a deft touch around the greens, and make surprisingly quick transitions to professional levels.
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9. Luke Clanton, 22
Another name generating significant buzz as he transitions into his professional career is Luke Clanton, one of the best young players on this list. In 2025, he won college golf’s most prestigious awards, capturing the NCAA Championship, the Ben Hogan Award, and the Jack Nicklaus Award. And recently in one of the most decorated seasons in recent memory at Florida State University, the 22-year-old assistant turned into a highly anticipated professional after dominating the level of the Amateur golf world. Known for his competitive fire and spirited game that shines under pressure, Clanton was widely regarded as one of the tour-ready prospects to emerge from the amateur ranks in recent years.
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10. Joe Highsmith, 25
When Joe Highsmith won the 2025 Classic Clampion championship – his first PGA victory – it was nowhere near the first round of the round and he ended up making the cut with no. But then he posted back-to-back 64s in the third round and celebrated a weekend of victories that not only earned him entry to more majors and showed how explosive and exciting Highsmith can be, he will go on to an impressive T8 finish at the PGA Championship in 2025.
Along with the PGA Tour, a wealth of young talent and rising stars appear on the Orn Ferry Tour, the Europt World Tour (which makes up the European tour), and the Liv Golf League. Here are some toys that are poised to become household names in the coming years.
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The best of the rest: 10 young players to watch from the PGA, Korn Ferry, DP World, and LIV golf courses:
1. Rasmus Højgaard, 24
Rasmus Højgaard is a proven winner with a strong Ryder Cup Pedigree in his future. This 24-year-old meeting has European European Viroaries, and finished second with solo McIlroy in the 2024 DP World Tour Championship.
2. Tom McKibbin, 22
Tom McKibbin is a rising star from the north of Ireland who, much like Rory McIlroy, grew up playing Hlellow Golf Club. He has already defended his DP World Championship win and has also made his debut in the Liv Golf League.
3. David Puig, 23
As part of Liv Golf, David Puig has become a key member of Fireballs GC, showing consistent improvement throughout the season.
4. Ricky Castillo, 24
Ricky Castillo is a highly decorated golfer who received his PGA TOUT card and is ready to start winning major events.
5. Caleb Surratt, 21
Caleb Surratt was a top amateur who made the jump to Liv Golf, where he established himself as one of the League’s top young players, showcasing his skills around the world.
6. Martin Couvra, 22
France’s Martin Courvra already has one win and is now on the hunt for the DP World Championship.
7. Adrien Dumont de Chassart, 25
Adrien Dumont de Chassart is considered to be the leading player in Korn Ferry Tour History, after winning his first round and almost closing in on a second victory the following week. He posted an impressive 66.46 average over the first six, and had one of the lowest bogey rates since 1994.
8. John Keefer, 24
John Keefer dominates the PGA of the Americas to earn his Korn Ferry Tour card, where he was quickly defeated and found his way to the 2025 pga Championship.
9. Christo Lamprecht, 24
Christo Lamprecht became the third South African in six years to win the amateur championship in Europe, they spoke for him in the 2023 open championship where he won the silver medal as a low amateur.
10. Pieredon Coody, 25
PiereConOn Colody, who is the grandson of 1971 Masters Champion Carles Coody, has shown his high potential with a strong performance while in the hunt for his PGA Tour title. The Twin Throner, Parker Coody, also has his PGA Touring card.
