Future Stars to Watch in 2025: Rising Talents on the PGA and LPGA Tours

Written by Brendon Elliot

 

As the 2024 PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour seasons wind down and the 2025 schedule approaches, golf fans are eager to see which new talents will emerge as the calendar turns. 

I will be keeping an eye on several players poised to make significant strides in 2025: Nico Echavarria, Neal Shipley, and Kevin Roy on the PGA TOUR, and Austin Kim, Lauren Stephenson, and Heather Lin on the LPGA Tour. With impressive recent performances from some and boatloads of yet untapped talent evident in others, the following players are good bets to step into the spotlight in 2025 and beyond.

 

PGA TOUR Contenders

Nico Echavarria: A Colombian Sensation

Nico Echavarria has stormed onto the PGA TOUR with a vigor that’s hard to ignore. Fresh off his impressive victory at the ZOZO Championship, where he captured his second PGA title and set a previous Tiger Woods’ course record, Echavarria’s trajectory is one of rapid ascent. His ability to perform under challenging conditions was further showcased during the World Wide Technology Championship, where he shot a remarkable 9-under par 63 to tie Max Greyserman for the lead through 36 holes amid howling winds. Such performances underscore his technical proficiency and adaptability—traits that will undoubtedly serve him well in the upcoming season. 

Neal Shipley: Rising with Consistency

After finishing as the low amateur in both the 2024 Masters Tournament and U.S. Open, Neal Shipley turned professional. His first event as a professional was the PGA Tour Americas Beachlands Victoria Open, where he tied for ninth place. In his 10 PGA TOUR starts in 2024, Neal made eight cuts, with 3 Top 25’s and one Top 10. Shipley represents another bright prospect within PGA circles. Although newer to the spotlight compared to his peers, Shipley has steadily gotten more comfortable throughout 2024. His understanding of course dynamics and ability to stay calm under pressure continues to enhance his reputation on the TOUR. 

Kevin Roy: Crafting a Remarkable Path

Kevin Roy‘s journey on the PGA TOUR has been characterized by determination and steady, calculated improvements. Roy’s talent is emerging as he adapts to the demands of competition and the pressure of performing on a big stage. By consistently honing his skills and remaining resilient, Kevin aims to secure his place on the PGA TOUR in 2025. The Syracuse, NY native made 31 starts on the PGA TOUR in 2023 but only managed to make nine cuts. However, in those nine successful tournaments, he achieved three Top 25 finishes and one Top 10 finish. In 2024, Roy spent the majority of his time on the Korn Ferry Tour, where he finished 13th on the points list, thereby regaining his status on the PGA TOUR for 2025.

LPGA TOUR Rising Stars

Auston Kim: Collegiate Star to Professional Poise

Auston Kim has made a relatively smooth transition from collegiate competitions to the Epson and LPGA Tours, quickly adapting to the challenges of professional golf. Her journey as a professional golfer began on the 2023 Epson Tour, where she made 17 cuts in 21 starts. Kim had ten top-10 finishes that year, including a breakthrough victory at the 2023 Epson Tour Championship. In her rookie campaign on the LPGA Tour this year, Kim has made 19 of 26 cuts with three top 10s. With a solo third at the 2024 LOTTE, she inched ever closer to getting into the GME Group Tour Championship in late November, where the top 60 in points qualify. 

Lauren Stephenson: Espon Tour POY

A player of nuanced skill, Lauren Stephenson combines mechanical consistency with shrewd on-course decision-making, both of which have propelled her steadily upward. The 27-year-old first joined the LPGA Tour in 2019 and has made 62 cuts in 101 career starts. However, where Lauren has thrived and seemingly reignited her career was on this year’s Epson Tour. With 14 of 15 cuts made, eight Top 10s, and a victory at the Twin Bridges Championship in July, Lauren was named Player of the Year on the Epson Tour, ranking first in the Race for the Card Points Race at year’s end. Look for a reenergized and confident Lauren Stephenson as she returns to the LPGA Tour in 2025. 

Heather Lin: Epson Tour Success to LPGA Ambitions

Heather Lin has emerged as a standout performer on the Epson Tour in 2024. Her victory at the Epson Tour Championship in Indian Wells highlights her as a rising star to watch in 2025 on the LPGA Tour. Lin is recognized by her peers as a player with sharp focus and resilience—qualities that will serve her well as she aims to succeed on the LPGA Tour next year. Her dedication to improving all aspects of her game bodes well for her anticipated progress. If her impressive second-round score of 8-under par 63 at the Epson Tour Championship, which set the record for the lowest 18-hole score at Indian Wells Golf Resort, is any indication of her potential, the LPGA Tour should take notice.

Many Storylines to Come in 2025

The remarkable talent displayed by these players to watch highlights the expanding pool of significant talent in professional golf. Each has a unique skill set but shares a competitive spirit that will help them make lasting impacts on their respective tours. As they embark on their journeys in 2025, they are poised to draw attention, challenge the status quo, and inspire the next generation of golfers.

 

 

PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is a multiple award-winning Golf Professional based in Central Florida. He is the 2017 PGA of America’s National Youth Player Development Award Winner and is the recipient of more than 25 other industry awards with a focus on Coaching & Education. He is considered by his peers as an industry expert on topics ranging from Jr. Golf Development to Operations to Industry Sustainability. He is the founder of the Little Linksters Golf Academies and the Little Linksters Association for Junior Golf Development, a 501c3 nonprofit also based out of Central Florida. Brendon is also a freelance golf writer for PGA.com, Golf Range Magazine and several other golf websites and blogs. He is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America. You can learn more about Brendon at BrendonElliott.com and Little Linksters at littlelinksters.com.

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