Top Young PGA Golfers to Watch in 2025: Rising Stars of the Tour
August 29, 2025
by Kyle Moss
A new generation of golfers is making a significant mark on the professional golf landscape. From the established PGA Tour to the burgeoning LIV Golf league and the proving grounds of PGA Tour University and the Korn Ferry and DP World Tours, these rising stars are not just competing; they are winning and setting the stage for a thrilling era in the sport.
And while some have followed in the footsteps of the greats by learning the game at famous courses like Holywood Golf Club in Ireland or Los Angeles Country Club in the U.S., many of these names poured countless hours into practicing and learning at their local municipal tracks, where you can always find a tee time and make a new friend.
Of course there are plenty of ways to build a career in golf, with smaller avenues like the Japan Tour and the Asian tour also proving to be effective. But those who are ready to make the biggest and most immediate impact by winning multiple titles are the young PGA golfers out grinding week in and week out on the PGA Tour, which is where this list will start.
Here are the top 10 Young Professional Golfers (25 and Under) on the PGA Tour and Beyond
1. Ludvig Åberg, 25
Ludvig Åberg seems destined for not only his first major win very soon, but also multiple majors along the way. The 25-year-old Swedish phenom has taken the golf world by storm with his powerful drives and calm demeanor, quickly establishing himself as a top-tier competitor. He was the first PGA Tour University graduate to earn immediate tour membership, after going on to win twice and playing in the 2023 Ryder Cup in his first season. His most recent top ten finish at Augusta National in 2025 is yet another reason why he is perhaps the top young golfer on the planet.
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2. Tom Kim, 23
Tom Kim is a three-time PGA Tour winner, earning two of those victories before turning 21. He is known for his consistent short game, low bogey-frequency, and strong strokes‑gained performance tee-to-green, all while showcasing a maturity that is impressive for anyone, especially a 23-year-old.
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3. Nick Dunlap, 21
Nick Dunlap won a U.S. Junior Amateur championship (2021), a U.S. Amateur championship (2023), and was the top ranked amateur in the world. But then he made serious headlines with his historic win at The American Express championship as an amateur — the first amateur to win on the pro circuit in 33 years — and then went on to win again that same season after turning professional.
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4. Akshay Bhatia , 23
Before becoming a PGA Tour winner, Akshay Bhatia had already put together an impressive career in amateur golf as a former Drive, Chip & Putt finalist, and then by representing the U.S. in the Junior Ryder Cup (2018) and U.S. Walker Cup (2019) — the youngest ever high‑school Walker Cup team member. He plays with a distinctive, self-taught swing and a fearless, aggressive approach, and continues to be a consistent threat.
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5. Michael Thorbjornsen, 23
Michael Thorbjornsen was a highly-touted amateur after becoming the U.S. Junior Amateur champion in 2018. He has quickly established himself as a consistent contender after earning PGA Tour status by finishing No. 1 in his PGA Tour U class. He finished runner‑up at the 2024 John Deere Classic in just his third pro start, and was runner‑up again at the 2025 Corales Puntacana Championship. Next he is eyeing is first major championship.
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6. Karl Vilips, 24
Karl Vilips is a former prodigy from Australia who turned pro in June 2024, and then quickly won on the Korn Ferry Tour at the Utah Championship, on his way to being named Korn Ferry Tour Rookie of the Year. He successfully graduated to the PGA Tour, and secured his first title at the 2025 Puerto Rico Open in just his fourth start, earning a two-year exemption and entry into major events. He became the first player signed to Tiger Woods’ Sun Day Red apparel line, and received a direct message from Tiger after winning.
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7. William Mouw, 24
A standout at Pepperdine University, William Mouw was a key contributor to the Waves’ 2021 NCAA Championship team and earned multiple All-American honors. He turned professional in 2023 and captured his first PGA Tour win just two years later at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, showcasing his elite ball-striking and composure down the stretch.
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8. Aldrich Potgieter, 20
The youngest on this list at just 20-years-old, Aldrich Potgieter is an impressive South African who has firmly established himself as one of the most powerful and promising young talents in golf. He is already a winner on the PGA Tour, becoming the youngest winner on Tour in 2025, where he leads everyone in driving distance. He leverages an explosive combination of raw power off the tee and a deft touch around the greens, and has made a remarkably swift transition to the professional ranks.
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9. Luke Clanton, 22
Another name generating significant buzz as he embarks on his professional career is Luke Clanton, one of the best young golfers on this list. In 2025 he swept college golf’s most prestigious honors, capturing the individual NCAA Championship, the Ben Hogan Award, and the Jack Nicklaus Award. And fresh off one of the most decorated collegiate seasons in recent memory at Florida State University, the 22-year-old phenom turned professional with immense expectations after dominating the world amateur golf ranking. Known for his competitive fire and a polished game that shines under pressure, Clanton was widely regarded as one of the most 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 Cognizant Classic Championship — his first PGA Tour win — he was nowhere near the first round lead and ended up making the cut on the number. But then he posted back-to-back 64s in the third and final rounds on the weekend for a victory that not only secured him entry into multiple majors and came with a two-year tour exemption, but also showed just how explosive and exciting he can be. Highsmith would 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 are emerging from the Korn Ferry Tour, the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour), and the LIV Golf league. Here are some more players who are poised to become household names in the coming years.
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The Best of the Rest: 10 More Young Players to Watch from the PGA, Korn Ferry, DP World, and LIV Golf Tours:
1. Rasmus Højgaard, 24
Rasmus Højgaard is a proven winner with a strong Ryder Cup pedigree in his future. The 24-year-old has multiple European victories, and finished solo second behind Rory McIlroy at the 2024 DP World Tour Championship.
2. Tom McKibbin, 22
Tom McKibbin is rising star from Northern Ireland who, much like Rory McIlroy, grew up playing Holywood Golf Club. He has already secured a DP World Tour win and has also made his debut in the LIV Golf league.
3. David Puig, 23
As a part of LIV Golf, David Puig has become a key member of the Fireballs GC, showing consistent improvement all season long.
4. Ricky Castillo, 24
Ricky Castillo is a highly decorated collegiate player who earned his PGA Tour card and is poised to start winning some big events.
5. Caleb Surratt, 21
Caleb Surratt was a top amateur who made the leap to LIV Golf, where he is holding his own as one of the most prominent young players in the league, showcasing his skills on a global stage.
6. Martin Couvra, 22
Martin Couvra from France already has one win and is now on the hunt for multiple DP World Tour victories.
7. Adrien Dumont de Chassart, 25
Adrien Dumont de Chassart is considered of the best in Korn Ferry Tour history, after winning in his debut and nearly locking up a second win the following week. He posted an incredible scoring average of 66.46 over his first six starts, and had one of the tour’s lowest bogey rates since 1994.
8. John Keefer, 24
John Keefer dominated the PGA TOUR Americas to earn his Korn Ferry Tour card, where he immediately won and earned his way into 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, giving him exemption to the 2023 Open Championship where he won the Silver Medal as low amateur.
10. Pierceson Coody, 25
Pierceson Coody, who is the grandson of 1971 Masters champion Charles Coody, has demonstrated his high potential with strong performances while on the hunt for his first PGA Tour title. His twin brother, Parker Coody, also has his PGA Tour card.
