5 young stars on the PGA Tour
Jordan Spieth
Spieth is already a superstar, and the youngest member of this contingency. To put it plainly, the 21-year-old wins. He currently ranks No. 2 in the world, behind phenom Rory McIlroy, and is in the hunt for a Grand Slam should he capture July's British Open, and August's PGA Championship. The Dallas native boasts an impressive scoring average of 68.922, consistent with his mantra of simply playing each round under par. Before long, the world could witness Spieth mount the pinnacle of the sport, potentially at Whistling Straits.
Hideki Matsuyama
Matsuyama, 23, is becoming a household name. In the 2015 season alone, he's accumulated eight top-10 finishes, including settling for third place twice, along with a second-place result. His iron play and short game are among his fortes, as he remains in the top 10 in scrambling. Although he has not won an event in 2015, Matsuyama scored himself a victory at the Memorial Tournament last season, solidifying the assertion that he could one day be a top contender with the rest of the PGA Tour's elite.
Patrick Reed
A pro since 2011, the emerging Reed already holds the No. 15 rank in the world, with plenty of potential to charge higher. Of the 18 events the San Antonio native has entered so far in 2015, he made the cut in all but one of them. The 24-year-old already has one event victory, one second-place finish, and three times he’s settled among the top 10. The young gun’s effective use of the draw shot is his biggest asset, utilizing it masterfully and proving the comfort of his capabilities. His recent U.S. Open outing, where he tied for 14th, showed he can compete in big moments.
Justin Thomas
Thomas already has five top-10 finishes, is 17th in driving distance, and ranks second and third in birdies and eagles, respectively. There’s a science to the 22-year-old's drive, mainly involving smash factor: the ratio of club head speed to ball speed. By hitting the focal point of his club head, Thomas is able to optimize his smash factor with remarkable consistency. In a 17-swing sample, he hit the same location of the club head each try, displaying uncanny swing regularity. Already with the tools to become a star, Thomas's stock is surely on the rise among the PGA Tour's echelon.
Tony Finau
Probably the most unknown member of the group, Finau is a PGA Tour rookie who's quickly learning how to golf with the best on the fly. He started his season relatively hesitant, missing seven of 22 total cuts, but is beginning to turn the corner. The former "The Big Break" competitor has made five of the most recent PGA Tour cuts, including at the U.S. Open, finishing 14th. The 25-year-old continues to swing under the radar, in the shadow of some big names, but is undoubtedly trending in the right direction.