6 PGA Tour newcomers who could become household names in 2025

The 2025 PGA Tour is fast approaching, and with that comes a slate of new members with their tour cards. Some will be PGA Tour members for the first time, while others are returning after playing on either the Korn Ferry Tour or DP World Tour. 

With the Tour cutting down to 100 full-tour cards in 2026, players who don’t currently have spots in the signature events for the year are going to be fighting hard to improve their standing and keep their card for another year.

Who are going to be key players in the new bubble drama next year? From newcomers to journeymen making their final runs at being a PGA Tour player, here are six players to watch as the 2025 season unfolds.

Matt McCarty is poised for a big year on the PGA Tour in 2025.

Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda were the big names in golf in 2024, but Matt McCarty had himself a similarly successful year. In reality, he already earned his way onto the PGA Tour in 2024, but with such a short stint, he still counts. 

McCarty earned his way to the tour in multiple ways. First, he won three times on the Korn Ferry Tour, earning his promotion that way. He also finished first in the Korn Ferry Tour points list, earning full-status that way as well. 

So what did McCarty do when he played his way onto the PGA Tour? He won again, and quickly, taking the inaugural Black Desert Championship in just his second start after his promotion. Given how successful his 2024 was, McCarty is poised for a big year in 2025 that could further vault him up the ranks of the PGA Tour.

Ryan Gerard

Ryan Gerard had a big year in 2023, making it through Monday qualifying for the Honda Classic and finishing fourth in the tournament, one of two top-10s for the year. However, as he wasn’t a full-time PGA Tour member, he failed to earn points toward the FedEx Cup and had to enter Q School, where he earned Korn Ferry Tour status for 2024.

By the middle of August, he had earned his way to full PGA Tour status by securing a top-30 finish on the Korn Ferry Tour points list. With his previous success at the PGA Tour level and a strong 2024 on the Korn Ferry Tour, Gerard is in great shape to make the most of his starts on the PGA Tour in 2025.

Harry Higgs

Harry Higgs rose to fame based on a viral moment at the WM Phoenix Open with Joel Dahmen. However, his game is worthy enough of attention on its own. 

Higgs earned his second promotion from the Korn Ferry Tour to the PGA Tour in 2024, with two wins in playoffs highlighting his comeback tour after losing his card in 2023. He has returned to form, and is sure to earn several additional starts as a sponsor exemption based on his status as a fan favorite.

Thriston Lawrence

Thriston Lawrence is a star on the DP World Tour, finishing third in the Race to Dubai and earning his PGA Tour card for 2025. The South African has four wins on the DP World Tour in his career.

2024 was a breakthrough year for Lawrence, as he was consistently in contention, including a fourth-place finish in the Open Championship. Lawrence’s history of stellar play and previous wins make him a likely candidate for breakout success in his first year on the PGA Tour.

Matteo Manassero

Matteo Manassero is the most decorated player on this list. That doesn’t mean his golf career has been smooth sailing, however. After setting the record for youngest winner of a professional golf tournament and winning significant tournaments through 2013, Manassero started to go through a prolonged slump. It took more than seven years for him to win his next professional tournament, and that came on a European mini-tour.

In 2023, Manassero earned a promotion back to the DP World Tour through the Challenge Tour, and wasted no time, returning to the winner's circle in 2024 and earning his PGA Tour card. As one of the older faces earning his card for the first time, Manassero has the experience and grit to make an impact in 2025.

Will Chandler

When he plays his first event in 2025, Will Chandler will be making his first PGA Tour start. Chandler has taken a more common path to joining the tour in 2025 than the other players on the list, but that doesn’t diminish his playing ability.

In 2024, Chandler played 10 Korn Ferry Tour events, making the cut in 8 and with his best finish being second. At Q School, he started his third round well outside of earning his card. However, a 67-66 finish found him inside the top five and ties, earning his card for the year. Chandler’s quick rise through the mini-tours and Korn Ferry Tour ranks makes him a player to watch for 2025.