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PGA Tour Rookies to Watch in the 2016-17 Season

By Mike Randleman

Oct 24, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Ollie Schniederjans tees off on hole number 1 during the third round of the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open at TPC Summerlin at TPC Summerlin. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Ollie Schniederjans tees off on hole number 1 during the third round of the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open at TPC Summerlin at TPC Summerlin. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 28, 2016; Springfield, NJ, USA; PGA golfer Andrew "Beef" Johnston walks the 15th hole during the first round of the 2016 PGA Championship golf tournament at Baltusrol GC - Lower Course. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 28, 2016; Springfield, NJ, USA; PGA golfer Andrew “Beef” Johnston walks the 15th hole during the first round of the 2016 PGA Championship golf tournament at Baltusrol GC – Lower Course. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Andrew “Beef” Johnston

The fan favorite could have staying power if he continues on his current trajectory

Andrew “Beef” Johnston has blossomed into the people’s champ with his abundance of both gregariousness and facial hair. While his level of career success does not quite match his high profile, Beef’s still got some game.

After earning his card via the Web.com Tour Finals, the European Tour winner can now maximize his star power by playing in the U.S. At age 27, he’s the oldest player on this list, but that’s still pretty green in golf years. He’s jumped nearly 200 spots in the world ranking since January, from No. 244 to his current standing at No. 79.

That’s a result of his win at the Spanish Open in April, along with three other top 10s. A tie for eighth-place finish at The Open Championship cemented the possibility of “Beef” becoming more than just a happy diversion. I do worry about Johnston becoming something of a (hopefully less scandalous) John Daly story if he starts to become known more for style than substance. That said, all indications to this point say he has a good head on his shoulders. He’s the type to own the moment and to not allow the moment to own him.

He’ll likely still play a fair amount in Europe — he’s understandably opting to play the British Masters over the Safeway Open this week — but it wouldn’t be a shock to see “Beef” in the winner’s circle ready to “get hammered” in the States in 2016-17 .

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