Golf’s Rising Stars to Superstars in 2025
Every year, professional golf sees a group of rising stars break through and elevate themselves into superstar status. These are the young players who go from just talented prospects to legitimate contenders in the sport’s biggest tournaments by proving they have the skill, mentality, and consistency to compete with the best on a week-to-week basis and in the biggest events. In 2025, three golfers are already breaking into superstar status: Ludvig Aberg, Joaquin Niemann, and Akshay Bhatia. Each has already shown flashes of brilliance with wins on the PGA Tour, LIV, and international events, and now they are ready to kick down the door of the professional game’s elite players, turning themselves into household names. If they continue their upward trajectory, expect them in the winner’s circle at big events more often, and perhaps one of them will be lifting a Major Championship trophy this year.
Ludvig Aberg: Age 25 - World Number Five
Ludvig Aberg has been a sensation on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour since his transition from college golf to the professional ranks. The young Swede had an outstanding amateur career at Texas Tech University, and since turning pro in 2023, he wasted no time proving that he belonged, earning his first professional win at the Omega European Masters in Switzerland, followed by his first PGA Tour win at the 2023 RSM Classic. Soon after, he found himself making his Ryder Cup debut for Team Europe in 2023, which showcased his nerves of steel. Aberg has one of the most complete games on Tour, blending elite ball striking, big distance off the tee, and composure under pressure. His moxie really showed out with his runner-up finish at his first-ever Masters go in 2024. Aberg’s played six events so far in 2025, with five made cuts and a win at the Genesis Invitational, a signature event. He is currently ranked the number five player in the world and a heavy favorite week in and week out. It’s clear that Ludvig is quickly moving on from rising star to superstar.
Joaquin Niemann: Age 26 - World Number 82
The 26-year-old Joaquin Niemann has been one of the most consistent young talents in professional golf for years, but 2025 could be when he fully breaks into superstardom. Since turning pro in 2018, the Chilean claimed victories at two PGA Tour events, the 2019 Military Tribute at The Greenbrier and the 2022 Genesis Invitational, two victories on the DP World Tour, the ISPS HANDA Australian Open and the PIF Saudi International, and four wins on the LIV Tour, the 2024 LIV Mayakoba, the 2024 LIV Jeddah, the 2025 LIV Adelaide, and the 2025 LIV Singapore. His ball-strike is as elite as you can find in the men’s professional game, he has great creativity around the greens, and he has an absolutely fearless mentality that makes him a serious contender whenever he tees it up. Don’t let the world number 82 rank fool you because LIV Players currently don’t receive any world ranking points for LIV events. In Data Golf’s ranking, which incorporates event field strength, event performance, and event recency into account, Niemann is ranked number seven amongst every professional golfer in the world. Joaquin Niemann can really elevate himself into superstar status in 2025 by contending, if not winning, at one of the Major Championships this year. Historically, he hasn’t been great at the Majors, with his best finish being a tie for 16th at the 2023 Masters. Out of 22 Major events that he’s played, he’s missed the cut seven times. Could that change this year as Joaquin takes the step into superstardom?
Akshay Bhatia: Age 23 - World Number 21
Few players have shown as much potential at a young age as Akshay Bhatia. After choosing to turn professional as a teenager and skipping the traditional college route, the 23-year-old’s journey has been unique and undeniably successful. His incredible putting, precise iron play, and fearless attitude have helped him quickly rise through the ranks. Bhatia joined the PGA Tour in 2023 and quickly found himself in the winner’s circle at the 2023 Barracuda Championship, proving he not only belonged but could win at the highest level. He added another Tour win at the 2024 Valero Texas Open. If Bhatia can contend and/or win at a signature event or Major Championship, he will propel himself into superstar conversations. He was in contention for a long while at the 2025 Players Championship, finishing in a tie for third, just missing the playoffs by two strokes. With the Major season quickly approaching, hopefully, Akshay can carry that momentum into those events and show the world what he’s truly capable of.
