Golf is a game that demands precision, patience, and mental toughness. For young golfers looking to play professionally, it’s not only a physical test of skills, talent, and discipline but also a test of focus, learning to let the bad shots go, and a willingness to practice when friends are off being teenagers. The game is a balance between the player, their swing, the course design, and often, the weather. The following young golfers have successfully embraced this elegant balance, each one rising through the ranks with talent and an inner game reminiscent of Shivas Irons’ teachings in Golf in the Kingdom.
Here’s a snapshot of golf’s up-and-coming new stars:
LPGA Up-and-Comers
Lottie Woad
England’s Lottie Woad dramatically birdied three of the last four holes to clinch her 2024 Augusta National Women’s Amateur win, and she hasn’t looked back. She is already making her mark on the professional tour, having turned pro right after shooting -13 and finishing T3 at the 2025 Amundi Evian Championship. Without missing a beat, she won the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open as a pro, securing full LPGA Tour playing rights through 2026. Woad’s confidence under pressure makes her a player to watch, and an odds favorite.
Carla Bernat Escuder
Carla Bernat Escuder isn’t just making waves; she’s setting records. Currently a senior at Kansas State University, Bernat Escuder won the 2025 Augusta National Women’s Amateur by firing three rounds of 68, becoming the first Spanish champion of this prestigious event. She hasn’t yet hinted at going pro, but with Victor Garcia (father and coach of Masters legend Sergio Garcia) guiding her since age 13, it’s clear greatness is in her swing, and she’s poised for the next step.
Asterisk Talley
Known affectionately as “Little Star,” Asterisk Talley from the USA is currently ranked the No. 2 junior girls’ golfer in the world. She impressed peers and professionals at the 2025 Annika Invitational in Florida and made history in 2024 as the first player ever to reach the finals of three USGA championships in one year. Still an amateur with no immediate plans to turn pro, Talley has already proven she has the grit and skill for big-stage drama.
Eila Galitsky
Thailand’s Eila Galitsky is shining at Duke University with no announced timeline for going pro. Her fearless approach on the course was on full display at Augusta National during the Women’s Amateur, where she shot the lowest final-round score of 66 and went 4-under across just three holes. The mental toughness behind such remarkable comebacks highlights a promising future.
PGA Up-and-Comers
Noah Kent
Currently playing at the University of Florida after transferring from Iowa, Florida native Noah Kent turned heads by finishing runner-up at the 2024 U.S. Amateur. His exact timeline for turning pro remains unclear, but his ability to thrive under pressure was obvious when he hit a 4-iron 230 yards to within 12 inches of the cup and eagled the 13th hole at Augusta, earning the prestigious crystal highball glasses.
Hiroshi Tai
Singapore’s Hiroshi Tai, currently at Georgia Tech, blends golf mastery with military discipline. He completed two mandatory years with the Singapore Navy before starting college and made headlines by winning the 2024 NCAA Division I Men’s Individual Championship, earning invitations to majors like the Masters and the U.S. Open. No date is set for turning pro, but his consistent performances suggest it’s just a matter of time.
Justin Hastings
Proudly representing the Cayman Islands, Justin Hastings broke barriers as the first player from his nation to tee it up at the U.S. Open. Hastings turned pro in July 2025, making his debut at the PGA Tour Americas’ Commissionaires Ottawa Open. His steady growth highlights how far passion and dedication can take you, even from smaller golfing nations. He earned low amateur honors, finishing 4-over at the 2025 Masters before turning pro, showcasing his readiness for the big leagues.
Jose Luis Ballester
Ballester is arguably the most controversial name on this list. Hailing from Spain, he played college golf at Arizona State University and won the 2024 U.S. Amateur, defeating Noah Kent in the final. But that’s not why he’s controversial. As an amateur, he finished 10-over at the 2025 Masters and made a poor choice that became a viral moment during the first round when he relieved himself in Rae’s Creek. He also declined an invitation to the Korn Ferry Tour and made his pro debut in June 2025 on the LIV Golf tour, signing with Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs GC team. I’m trying to warm up to the idea of LIV because it’s drawing a younger generation, and I’m all about the future. But taking a leak in Rae’s Creek at Augusta on a storybook hole because you’re too lazy or arrogant to ask where the bathrooms are? No. Not on board for that.
A Glimpse into the Future for Your Young Golfer
Keep an eye on these names as they continue their ascent. Each of them embodies the next generation’s unique spirit, reminding us that golf is as much about mental strength as it is physical skill. They’ve spent days, weeks, and months on courses around the world, striking buckets of balls on the range, pitching, putting, and practicing well after sunset because they know that to compete at the highest level, they must practice at the highest level.
If you have a young golfer who hopes to play in college or go pro and you’re unsure how to navigate junior rankings and tournaments, check out Elevate Junior Golf, led by business executive and golf mom Kim Rodriguez. Kim is no stranger to junior golf, with over ten years’ experience walking courses across the country while watching her sons climb the rankings. Her oldest, Anthony, will play at the Air Force Academy this fall, and her younger son Bradley is a rising high school junior.
Parting Shot
Golf’s next generation is already making waves, and it’s clear the future of the sport is in good hands. These young athletes are talented, disciplined, and already making their mark on the global stage. Whether you’re a fan, a parent of a junior golfer, or just someone who loves watching the game evolve, there’s never been a more exciting time to follow the rise of tomorrow’s stars.
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