I know you all remember the names Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, and Lee Trevino, they were the “Big 4” in golf back in the day and today we have Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, Rory McIlroy and, well, we really don’t have a fourth player, instead we have several that could jump into the fourth spot.
Golf is in great shape heading into the 2016 season. Tons of talent on both sides of the pond. The young kids coming out of college are ready to win right away which wasn’t the case years ago. Already this season we have three winners by players in their early 20’s and more on the way.
Let’s take a look at the young players in today’s game. I have broken them down into four categories and you will see that we are in for one exciting year of golf on both the PGA and European Tour’s.
DIAMOND CLUB PLAYERS
Jordan Spieth - two majors last year and mature beyond his age of 22.
Rory McIlroy - four majors already and hungry for more and only 26 years old.
Jason Day - finally got the monkey off his back by notching his first major win at the PGA Championship.
PLATINUM GOLD PLAYERS
Rickie Fowler - loves the big stage and doesn’t shy away from anyone. He will get a major this year!
Hideki Matsuyama - seems like this kid has been on tour for 10 years, but still only 23 years old.
Justin Thomas - buddies with Spieth, still only 22 and picked up huge win at the CIMB Classic. He’s a stud!
Thomas Pieters - former Illinois standout who won two times on the European Tour last year. Keep your eye on him, very talented player.
Matthew Fitzpatrick - former US Amateur winner, picked up his first win on the European Tour and had ten top 10’s. The kid is just 21 years old.
Byeong Hun An - Only 24 years old and already has a win on the European Tour. Very talented player that exudes confidence.
Brooks Koepka - former Seminole stud who picked up his first win last year in Phoenix.
Emiliano Grillo - Just 23 years old and already has a PGA Tour win. Great things ahead for the kid.
SILVER CLUB PLAYERS
Victor Dubuisson - The flamboyant Frenchman had some personal issues most of last year, but finished the year off strong with a win in Turkey. Many forget he is only 25 years old.
Danny Willett - Plays in Europe so goes unrecognized to most of us, but battled McIlroy to the very end in the Race to Dubai.
Shane Lowry - Always had the talent and finally broke through with a huge win at the WGC-Bridgestone.
Patrick Rodgers - Another young player, just 23, that is battle tested and only a matter of time before he breaks through and captures his first win.
Kiradech Aphibarnrat - Looks like the Pillsbury dough boy but can really, really play. The Thai has two wins under his belt and will be a factor in 2016.
Andy Sullivan - This dude smiles and smiles all the way to the winners circle. Battled McIlroy all the way to the last hole in the season finale on the European Tour.
Smylie Kaufman - Speaking of smiles, Smylie is only 24 years old and won on his first try on the the PGA Tour.
Lucas Bjerregaard - Kind of unknown to most but not on the European Tour, This 24 year old hits it a mile and will thrive in 2016.
Tony Finau - Now 26 years old, he turned pro at 17 and after struggling for years, finally lived up to expectations and played great, he didn’t win, but had eight top 10’s.
Those are the players all under 30 years old. You add the players that are in their 30’s with the veterans and the game of golf is in great hands for 2016 and beyond. I can’t wait for the season to start.
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