When fans and critics talk about LIV Golf, the focus is often on big-money contracts, major-winning veterans, or the ongoing OWGR debate. But quietly and consistently, LIV has been building something else: a pipeline of elite under-30 talent that could define the next era of professional golf.
As of December 2025, LIV Golf features 10 full-time players under the age of 30. These aren’t just names filling out rosters—they’re future Ryder Cuppers, major contenders, and cultural cornerstones for a new generation of fans.
In this blog, we’re spotlighting the top young players in LIV Golf, analyzing how the league is developing this talent, and why it might be LIV’s most important long-term investment yet.
Who Are LIV Golf’s Under-30 Standouts?
LIV’s 2025 roster featured 54 players across 13 teams, with nearly 20% of the league made up of players under 30—a healthy figure compared to the PGA Tour. This age group includes former U.S. Amateur champs, top college players, and young international pros skipping the Korn Ferry grind for global opportunity.
Let’s meet the standouts:
🔥 Joaquin Niemann (Age 27, Torque GC – Chile)
Captain, team leader, and 2025 Individual Champion. With wins at Mayakoba and Jeddah, Niemann racked up 185+ points and played his best golf yet. He’s top-10 in majors, ranks high in strokes gained, and is a true cornerstone of the LIV youth movement.
🔥 David Puig (Age 24, Fireballs GC – Spain)
The former Arizona State star climbed to 15th in the standings in 2025, including a win at LIV Andalucia. His driving accuracy and putting make him a threat, and his international wins pre-LIV show his global pedigree. One of Sergio Garcia’s best recruits.
🔥 Matthew Wolff (Age 26, RangeGoats GC – USA)
Wolff had a bounce-back year in 2025, finishing 22nd with 58.9 points and a win at Greenbrier. His unique swing and raw power are back on display, and LIV’s lighter schedule seems to suit him mentally and physically.
🔥 Tom McKibbin (Age 22, Legion XIII – Northern Ireland)
The 2023 Porsche European Open winner joined LIV in 2025 and immediately delivered. He finished 20th individually and was a major contributor to Legion XIII’s dominant team season. With Jon Rahm as captain and mentor, his ceiling is sky-high.
🔥 Josele Ballester (Age 22, Fireballs GC – Spain)
Fresh off a historic U.S. Amateur win, Ballester made his pro debut in 2025 and finished 35th despite playing only half the season. Already top-15 in GIR among rookies, he’s a breakout candidate for 2026.
🔥 Frederik Kjettrup (Age 25, Cleeks GC – Denmark)
After skipping the Korn Ferry route, Kjettrup joined LIV in 2024 and played all 14 events in 2025. His best finish was T8 at Riyadh, and he ranked top-20 in strokes gained: approach. He’s a prime example of LIV’s appeal to top NCAA talent.
🔥 Caleb Surratt (Age 21, Legion XIII – USA)
LIV’s youngest full-timer, Surratt played every event and finished 33rd. A former SEC standout and Walker Cup player, he’s got elite long-game numbers and is thriving under Rahm’s guidance. Think “future captain” material.
🔥 Andy Ogletree (Age 27, HyFlyers GC – USA)
The 2019 U.S. Amateur champ battled injuries and early struggles, but LIV gave him new life. He finished 38th in 2025 with a T5 in Las Vegas, averaging 310+ yards off the tee. A dangerous sleeper pick in any field.
🔥 Yubin Jang (Age 23, Iron Heads GC – South Korea)
The 2024 Korean Tour Player of the Year debuted on LIV in 2025 and finished 28th, including a T3 in front of a home crowd at LIV Korea. He’s elite in scrambling and is one of Asia’s brightest young stars.
🔥 Sam Horsfield (Age 29, Majesticks GC – England)
Injuries limited his early momentum, but Horsfield showed solid form in 2025, finishing 30th with a T6 at Adelaide. LIV’s format has helped him stay healthy, and his power off the tee remains top-tier.
How LIV Golf Is Developing Young Talent
LIV isn’t just signing young stars—they’re building around them.
- Mentorship-Driven Teams: Pairings like Rahm–Surratt and Garcia–Puig show how LIV’s team model creates hands-on development environments, something traditional tours can’t replicate.
- Global Exposure: Players compete worldwide, gaining experience on diverse courses and in varied conditions—from Australia to Jeddah to Singapore.
- Financial Stability: Multi-year contracts give young pros the freedom to focus on their games without chasing cuts or Monday qualifiers.
- New Initiatives: The 2025 ROSHN Rising Stars program recruited and trained 20 young Saudi golfers, with plans to expand globally. This model mirrors youth academies in global soccer—something golf has never seen at scale.
- Format Evolution: Starting in 2025, LIV expanded toward 72-hole formats—a key step in pursuing OWGR points and elevating the competitive standard.
Why the OWGR Debate Still Matters for These Players
The one cloud over all this progress? LIV events still don’t award OWGR points.
That’s changing—at least partially. The league’s pivot to 72-hole events in 2025 and expanded field structure were designed to qualify for points. If accepted in 2026, this could transform the outlook for young LIV players, who are currently penalized in global rankings despite consistent results.
For now, rankings like Data Golf and TUGR (The Universal Golf Ranking) paint a truer picture. Many of these under-30 players—like Niemann, Puig, and McKibbin—would rank inside the global top 75 in those models.
LIV Golf’s Youth Movement vs. PGA Tour’s “Young Guns”
While the PGA Tour features rising stars like Ludvig Åberg and Akshay Bhatia, LIV’s young core is arguably more battle-tested—facing international fields, high-pressure team dynamics, and fast-paced innovation.
Where PGA Tour youth grind through Q-Schools and developmental tours, LIV offers:
- Guaranteed income
- Global exposure
- Major exemptions (in some cases)
- Elite coaching resources
The result? Players ready to win now, not three years from now.
Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond
With no major roster shakeups announced post-2025, this under-30 group will likely form the foundation of LIV Golf’s future. Rumors suggest potential new signings (like Cameron Young) may join, adding even more firepower.
The challenge now: sustained growth. With OWGR recognition on the horizon and programs like ROSHN scaling up, LIV is poised to become more than just a home for ex-PGA stars—it’s becoming a launchpad for the next generation.
Final Take: LIV’s Future Runs Through Its Young Core
For all the headlines around LIV Golf’s veterans, it’s the under-30 talent that may ultimately define the league’s staying power. These players aren’t just the future—they’re already delivering wins, top finishes, and global fan interest.
Whether it’s Niemann closing majors, Puig climbing the ranks, or Surratt finding his stride, the message is clear:
LIV Golf isn’t just about disruption—it’s about development.
And the youth movement? It’s just getting started.
