Projecting the sport’s subsequent stars is normally an unattainable process.
Working example: I tabbed 20 names in final yr’s breakout predictions, and most of them didn’t precisely take off.
Nevertheless, I did hit on just a few, most notably David Puig, who added one other Asian Tour win to begin the yr earlier than notching a pair of late-season top-5s on the DP World Tour; Chris Gotterup and Kevin Yu, who broke by for his or her first profession PGA Tour titles; and Ricky Castillo and Noah Goodwin, who aren’t stars but, however they did each graduate from the Korn Ferry Tour this yr.
Earlier than I strive once more, right here’s a reminder of the factors:
- But to crack prime 100 in Official World Golf Rating
- But to win on PGA Tour, DP World Tour or LIV Golf
- 25 years outdated or youthful
So, now that we all know the foundations (no, Luke Clanton doesn’t meet the factors), listed here are 10 names to watch as potential breakout stars in 2025:
ALSO CONSIDERED
- Joshua Berry, 19
- Yubin Jang, 22
- Neal Shipley, 24
- Jacob Skov Olesen, 25
- Ryan van Velzen, 23
10. Josele Ballester
Age: 21
OWGR rank: 4,572 (nonetheless beginner)
Important tour: N/A
Why it will likely be him: If there’s anyone from this present crop of faculty seniors who can catch fireplace this summer time, it’s the Spaniard, who gained final yr’s U.S. Beginner and has the ability and palms to be a PGA Tour winner.
Why it gained’t be him: He’s in a battle with David Ford for the highest spot in PGA Tour College, which might include a PGA Tour card. If he doesn’t get that, his possibilities of rocketing up the world rankings tremendously diminishes – except, in fact, he goes worldwide for his early taking part in alternatives.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL – DECEMBER 12: Johnny Keefer performs his shot from the eighth tee in the course of the first spherical of PGA TOUR Q-College offered by Korn Ferry on Dye’s Valley Course at TPC Sawgrass on December 12, 2024 in Ponte Vedra Seaside, Florida. (Picture by Scott Taetsch/Getty Photographs)
9. Johnny Keefer
Age: 23
OWGR rank: 215
Important tour: Korn Ferry Tour
Why it will likely be him: The athletic Baylor product was a strong school participant, however not many may’ve envisioned what he did this previous summer time in Canada, profitable as soon as and notching eight different top-6 finishes. That’s an insane clip, and if he can switch a few of that over to the KFT, we’ll see him end within the prime 20 in factors simply.
Why it gained’t be him: He didn’t win in any respect in school, so if he needs to complete among the many prime 20 in KFT factors subsequent season, he’s going to want to buck that development or rack up a handful of these top-6s once more.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL – DECEMBER 12: Kensei Hirata of Japan and his caddie work together earlier than taking part in his shot on the eighth tee in the course of the first spherical of PGA TOUR Q-College offered by Korn Ferry on Dye’s Valley Course at TPC Sawgrass on December 12, 2024 in Ponte Vedra Seaside, Florida. (Picture by Scott Taetsch/Getty Photographs)
8. Kensei Hirata
Age: 24
OWGR rank: 114
Important tour: Korn Ferry Tour
Why it will likely be him: He was the highest-ranked participant within the area at ultimate stage of PGA Tour Q-College earlier than incomes 12 assured begins with a T-8 end. He’ll be a favourite to win the KFT factors title after grabbing three wins on the Japan Tour this previous season.
Why it gained’t be him: As we’ve seen quite a few instances prior to now, the interpretation to U.S.-based skilled golf isn’t all the time simple for worldwide gamers.
ST SIMONS ISLAND, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 22: Christo Lamprecht of South Africa performs his shot from the second tee in the course of the second spherical of The RSM Basic 2024 on the Seaside course at Sea Island Resort on November 22, 2024 in St Simons Island, Georgia. (Picture by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Photographs)
7. Christo Lamprecht
Age: 23
OWGR rank: 476
Important tour: Korn Ferry Tour
Why it will likely be him: The 6-foot-9 bomber has re-tooled his swing to alleviate the pressure on his decrease again following a future of MCs on the KFT this summer time, and a T-2 end on the DPWT’s Mauritius Open reveals that these adjustments are taking impact.
Why it gained’t be him: The KFT is a demanding tour the place guys usually discover themselves taking part in 5 or 6 straight weeks, which isn’t preferrred for Lamprecht and his massive body.
6. Frederik Kjettrup
Age: 24
OWGR rank: 240
Important tour: LIV Golf
Why it will likely be him: The Florida State grad gained thrice on the PGA Tour Americas this previous summer time earlier than becoming a member of LIV Golf and the Cleeks for subsequent yr. Whereas he’s not a direct menace to win on LIV, he has the potential to do what David Puig did this yr, exhibiting out on the Asian Tour and incomes his means into some majors the onerous means.
Why it gained’t be him: The dearth of world-ranking factors on LIV is very powerful for a younger man popping out of faculty. It’ll be probably the most uphill a climb of anyone on this group of potential breakouts.
FRENCH LICK, INDIANA – OCTOBER 05: William Mouw watches a tee shot on the fourth gap in the course of the third spherical of the Korn Ferry Tour Championship offered by United Leasing & Finance 2024 at French Lick Golf Resort on October 05, 2024 in French Lick, Indiana. (Picture by Mike Mulholland/Getty Photographs)
5. William Mouw
Age: 24
OWGR rank: 167
Important tour: PGA Tour
Why it will likely be him: The previous basketball participant has some pop and does a whole lot of issues effectively, which explains how he compiled top-25 finishes in practically half of his 22 begins, together with three runners-up, on the KFT this yr. He may not be a man who wins on the PGA Tour subsequent season, however he’ll make a whole lot of cuts.
Why it gained’t be him: He can generally battle to hit fairways, and people close-calls may begin affecting him if he will get into competition extra.
4. Robin Williams
Age: 23
OWGR rank: 203
Important tour: DP World Tour
Why it will likely be him: He completed simply behind van Velzen on the Sunshine Tour order of benefit to earn full DP World Tour taking part in privileges. He’s added some muscle and size in recent times and rolls it very properly.
Why it gained’t be him: He’s already missed three of his first 4 cuts of the DPWT season, and his quick recreation has held him again prior to now.
3. Aldrich Potgieter
Age: 20
OWGR rank: 219
Important tour: PGA Tour
Why it will likely be him: He’s acquired tons of pace, which ought to slot him within the prime 10 on the PGA Tour instantly. He was wildly inconsistent on the KFT this yr, however he did win, and he may simply be a man who pops just a few instances a season and makes most of his cash in these weeks. Or he may mature quickly and discover that consistency subsequent season.
Why it gained’t be him: He’s nonetheless actually younger, and I’m not fairly offered on the shorter golf equipment. He additionally missed 13 cuts on the KFT this yr.
FRENCH LICK, INDIANA – OCTOBER 05: Frankie Capan III appears to be like over a putt on on the 18th gap in the course of the third spherical of the Korn Ferry Tour Championship offered by United Leasing & Finance 2024 at French Lick Golf Resort on October 05, 2024 in French Lick, Indiana. (Picture by Mike Mulholland/Getty Photographs)
2. Frankie Capan III
Age: 25
OWGR rank: 148
Important tour: PGA Tour
Why it will likely be him: He has a ridiculous quick recreation and placing profile, which explains why he can go so low; he shot 58 this yr on the KFT, the place he gained as soon as and added a pair of seconds. Add in loads of energy and when he’s flushing his irons, which occurred extra the latter a part of the yr, he could be harmful.
Why it gained’t be him: For pretty much as good as he was this yr on the KFT, Capan didn’t precisely blow the doorways off as an beginner or in his first yr as a professional.
FRENCH LICK, INDIANA – OCTOBER 03: Karl Vilips of Australia appears to be like over his yardage guide earlier than taking part in the thirteenth gap in the course of the first spherical of the Korn Ferry Tour Championship offered by United Leasing & Finance 2024 at French Lick Golf Resort on October 03, 2024 in French Lick, Indiana. (Picture by Mike Mulholland/Getty Photographs)
1. Karl Vilips
Age: 23
OWGR rank: 246
Important tour: PGA Tour
Why it will likely be him: The previous prodigy turned professional this summer time with conditional KFT standing, which he shortly changed into a full-time gig with a win and runner-up. That scorching begin ultimately booked Vilips a spot on the PGA Tour in 2025. He’s an intriguing prospect contemplating he has the potential to be above common in three of the 4 sides (minus quick recreation, although it’s not like that’s an enormous weak point, both).
Why it gained’t be him: He was banged up a bit as an beginner, together with a critical finger harm just a few years again. He’ll want to remain wholesome.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25807104/2176847601.jpg?w=120&resize=120,86&ssl=1 "Unmatched is an opportunity for former teammates like Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally to reunite")