These are the stars to watch in 2026, from major contenders to young players aiming for a breakthrough.
As 2025 comes to an end, it’s time to look ahead to the upcoming year. Which players might take the next step in their careers and who could possibly win their first major? This year, Rory McIlroy finally won his long-awaited Masters title, and J.J. Spaun climbed from 119th in the world to the top 10 thanks to his results around his US Open victory in June. So, who are the players in 2026 set to rise through the ranks or finally achieve long-held goals?
Stars Hoping for Their First Major Title
The most obvious candidate on this list is Tommy Fleetwood. The 34-year-old Englishman won his first PGA Tour event last year with the FedEx Cup title, lifting a great burden off his shoulders. With his Ryder Cup success, DP World India Championship win, and narrow playoff loss at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, he maintained strong form through the year. It’s quite possible he will carry this momentum into 2026 and secure his first major victory next year.
His compatriot Tyrrell Hatton is also a name to watch at the majors in 2026. Hatton already has major experience. Late mistakes cost him the US Open title in June. While that missed opportunity was tough to handle, it gave him invaluable experience that could prove crucial if he gets another chance next year.
Cameron Young, Robert MacIntyre, and Ludvig Aberg can also realistically envision winning their first major in 2026. Young, despite a somewhat inconsistent season, finished T4 at the US Open and won his first PGA Tour event, heading into the new season with confidence. MacIntyre also had good chances during J.J. Spaun’s victory, finishing second. Ludvig Aberg will likely place his biggest hopes on the Masters, where he had strong chances this year before a disappointing finish set him back.
Players Poised to Make the Leap to Stardom
The surprise of last DP World Tour season was Marco Penge. The Englishman finished second in the Race to Dubai, earning his first PGA Tour card. Penge is eager to make his mark on the American stage. He already showed promise last year with a T2 finish at the Genesis Scottish Open. His strong driving should suit the PGA Tour well, and at 27, he has enough experience to adapt to the transition.
Harry Hall demonstrated his skills on the PGA Tour with a T17 at the Tour Championship. His extremely steady putting game helped him make only three missed cuts in 2025. In 2026, he could make the big jump into the world’s elite, and he will definitely be one to watch at the major events.
The star of the 2026 DP World Tour season so far is Jayden Schaper. He won two of the first three events this season and finished T2 in the one he didn’t win. At just 24 years old, Schaper stands out on the greens, requiring the fewest putts of any participant so far. Whether he can maintain this form remains to