Projecting the sport’s subsequent stars is often an not possible process.
Living proof: I tabbed 20 names in final yr’s breakout predictions, and most of them didn’t precisely take off.
Nevertheless, I did hit on a couple of, 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 via 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- 25 years outdated or youthful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 principles (no, Luke Clanton doesn’t meet the factors), listed below 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 novice)
Primary tour: N/A
Why it is going to be him: If there’s anyone from this present crop of school seniors who can catch fireplace this summer season, it’s the Spaniard, who received final yr’s U.S. Novice and has the ability and palms to be a PGA Tour winner.
Why it received’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 drastically diminishes – except, after all, he goes worldwide for his early enjoying alternatives.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL – DECEMBER 12: Johnny Keefer performs his shot from the eighth tee throughout the first spherical of PGA TOUR Q-College introduced by Korn Ferry on Dye’s Valley Course at TPC Sawgrass on December 12, 2024 in Ponte Vedra Seaside, Florida. (Photograph by Scott Taetsch/Getty Photos)
9. Johnny Keefer
Age: 23
OWGR rank: 215
Primary tour: Korn Ferry Tour
Why it is going to be him: The athletic Baylor product was a stable faculty participant, however not many might’ve envisioned what he did this previous summer season 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 received’t be him: He didn’t win in any respect in faculty, 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 enjoying his shot on the eighth tee throughout the first spherical of PGA TOUR Q-College introduced by Korn Ferry on Dye’s Valley Course at TPC Sawgrass on December 12, 2024 in Ponte Vedra Seaside, Florida. (Photograph by Scott Taetsch/Getty Photos)
8. Kensei Hirata
Age: 24
OWGR rank: 114
Primary tour: Korn Ferry Tour
Why it is going to 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 received’t be him: As we’ve seen quite a few occasions up 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 throughout 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. (Photograph by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Photos)
7. Christo Lamprecht
Age: 23
OWGR rank: 476
Primary tour: Korn Ferry Tour
Why it is going to be him: The 6-foot-9 bomber has re-tooled his swing to alleviate the pressure on his decrease again following a long term of MCs on the KFT this summer season, and a T-2 end on the DPWT’s Mauritius Open reveals that these modifications are taking impact.
Why it received’t be him: The KFT is a demanding tour the place guys usually discover themselves enjoying 5 or 6 straight weeks, which isn’t best for Lamprecht and his massive body.
PINEHURST, NORTH CAROLINA – JUNE 13: Frederik Kjettrup of Denmark watches his putt on the second inexperienced throughout the first spherical of the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort on June 13, 2024 in Pinehurst, North Carolina. (Photograph by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Photos)
6. Frederik Kjettrup
Age: 24
OWGR rank: 240
Primary tour: LIV Golf
Why it is going to be him: The Florida State grad received thrice on the PGA Tour Americas this previous summer season earlier than becoming a member of LIV Golf and the Cleeks for subsequent yr. Whereas he’s not a right away risk 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 approach into some majors the onerous approach.
Why it received’t be him: The dearth of world-ranking factors on LIV is particularly powerful for a younger man popping out of college. 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 throughout the third spherical of the Korn Ferry Tour Championship introduced by United Leasing & Finance 2024 at French Lick Golf Resort on October 05, 2024 in French Lick, Indiana. (Photograph by Mike Mulholland/Getty Photos)
5. William Mouw
Age: 24
OWGR rank: 167
Primary tour: PGA Tour
Why it is going to be him: The previous basketball participant has some pop and does plenty of issues effectively, which explains how he compiled top-25 finishes in almost 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 plenty of cuts.
Why it received’t be him: He can generally wrestle to hit fairways, and people close-calls might begin affecting him if he will get into competition extra.
OBIDOS, PORTUGAL – SEPTEMBER 15: Robin Williams of South Africa reacts after on the 18th gap on day 4 of the Open de Portugal at Royal Obidos 2024 at Royal Obidos Spa & Golf Resort on September 15, 2024 in Obidos, Portugal. (Photograph by Octavio Passos/Getty Photos)
4. Robin Williams
Age: 23
OWGR rank: 203
Primary tour: DP World Tour
Why it is going to be him: He completed simply behind van Velzen on the Sunshine Tour order of benefit to earn full DP World Tour enjoying privileges. He’s added some muscle and size lately and rolls it very properly.
Why it received’t be him: He’s already missed three of his first 4 cuts of the DPWT season, and his quick sport has held him again up to now.
SUN CITY, SOUTH AFRICA – DECEMBER 08: Aldrich Potgieter of South Africa reacts following his second shot on the second gap on day 4 of the Nedbank Golf Problem 2025 at Gary Participant CC on December 08, 2024 in Solar Metropolis, South Africa. (Photograph by Warren Little/Getty Photos)
3. Aldrich Potgieter
Age: 20
OWGR rank: 219
Primary tour: PGA Tour
Why it is going to be him: He’s obtained tons of velocity, which ought to slot him within the prime 10 on the PGA Tour straight away. He was wildly inconsistent on the KFT this yr, however he did win, and he might simply be a man who pops a couple of occasions a season and makes most of his cash in these weeks. Or he might mature quickly and discover that consistency subsequent season.
Why it received’t be him: He’s nonetheless actually younger, and I’m not fairly bought 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 throughout the third spherical of the Korn Ferry Tour Championship introduced by United Leasing & Finance 2024 at French Lick Golf Resort on October 05, 2024 in French Lick, Indiana. (Photograph by Mike Mulholland/Getty Photos)
2. Frankie Capan III
Age: 25
OWGR rank: 148
Primary tour: PGA Tour
Why it is going to be him: He has a ridiculous quick sport and placing profile, which explains why he can go so low; he shot 58 this yr on the KFT, the place he received 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 will be harmful.
Why it received’t be him: For nearly as good as he was this yr on the KFT, Capan didn’t precisely blow the doorways off as an novice 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 enjoying the thirteenth gap throughout the first spherical of the Korn Ferry Tour Championship introduced by United Leasing & Finance 2024 at French Lick Golf Resort on October 03, 2024 in French Lick, Indiana. (Photograph by Mike Mulholland/Getty Photos)
1. Karl Vilips
Age: 23
OWGR rank: 246
Primary tour: PGA Tour
Why it is going to be him: The previous prodigy turned professional this summer season with conditional KFT standing, which he shortly become a full-time gig with a win and runner-up. That sizzling begin finally 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 sport, although it’s not like that’s an enormous weak spot, both).
Why it received’t be him: He was banged up a bit as an novice, together with a severe finger harm a couple of years again. He’ll want to remain wholesome.
