By: Max Bechtoldt
With Lexi Thompson making her PGA Tour debut today, it made me think about the other players who could make a PGA Tour appearance. Here are the five players I could see playing on the PGA Tour next:
NELLY KORDA
I think Korda is probably the most obvious candidate to make a PGA Tour appearance. She is most of the way there, being alongside Thompson as the only LPGA players to appear in the QBE Shootout in 2022. During that week, PGA stars Max Homa and Kevin Kisner raved about Korda’s play. The next week at the PNC Championship, Jordan Spieth was telling his father to try and emulate Korda’s game. While Korda has the streakiest putter in golf, she has the distance to compete and is maybe the best chipper on the LPGA Tour.
BROOKE HENDERSON
The PGA Tour is probably looking for big stars to invite. Henderson is maybe the biggest star on the LPGA Tour. Go to an event, see the following she attracts, it is eye-opening. Henderson is a two-time major winner and has 11 total wins on tour at only 26-years-old. Henderson is a likely future hall of famer who has the distance to play well. Most of her game is dependent on if her putting is on, which can be inconsistent at times, but she would have the ability to turn out a strong performance.
LINN GRANT
Anyone who has watched Linn Grant play golf, knows her talent is next level. Grant possesses every skill needed to compete here. Grant is top 20 in driving distance, but she doesn’t just rely on her driving distance. Her near-59 performance in Toledo proved how strong her all around game is. At the 2022 Scandinavian mixed event she won by nine strokes in an event that featured male major champions. Yes the tees were different, but her dominance in that event leads me to believe she could be very competitive in a PGA Tour event.
RUONING YIN
LPGA fans have quickly become enamored by Yin’s incredible ball striking, which led to her winning the 2023 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Baltrusrol. The type of work she shows with both her driver and irons gives a lot of confidence for her potential success on the PGA Tour. Yin is No. 15 on tour in strokes gained driving and No. 12 in strokes gained approach. Like the others on this list, her putting is inconsistent, but her pure talent jumps off the screen.
YUKA SASO
At this point, it should be obvious that ball striking is taking priority in terms of players to pick here. Yuka Saso is no exception. Saso modeled her swing by watching videos of Rory McIlroy, and it shows, the side by side is uncanny. Saso hits it like Rory as well. Saso is No. 9 on the LPGA Tour in driving distance and No. 13 in strokes gained off the tee. While Saso is inconsistent, you can tell when she is focused by her performance around the greens. She can pull off incredible chips and putts even if the stats don’t show it.
