The year on the fairways will be thrilling. This GOLF 2026 Season Player Preview reveals the golfers to watch as they become great, the newcomers who will win their first major and the champion who feels the need to go back to the top. The 2022-23 season will be full of drama in the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, and DP World Tour and old venues and new competitions will mark the beginning.
Major Championship Contenders: GOLF 2026 Season Player Preview
The major championship of 2026 is full of legendary courses, and a combination of experienced superstars and aspiring players are already prepared to fight. Careers are determined by success in these tournaments and some of the players are focusing on the highest awards in golf.
Scottie Scheffler Aims for the Career Grand Slam
Being the world one, it is evident that Scotty Scheffler is dominant. With the PGA Championship and The Open to his collection in 2025, the U.S. Open is the only thing that can deny him the career Grand Slam. The 2026 U.S. Open will be back at Shinnecock Hills where accuracy in hitting the ball and a clear mind are the main character of his playing. He is viewed by experts as the man to beat with one having gone further to predict boldly, saying, I say he does it at Shinnecock.
Rory McIlroy Chases More History
In 2025, Rory McIlroy has finally won his first Masters in order to complete the career Grand Slam. At this point, the issue arises on the number of additional majors he can win. The lack of that long-term strain would see him play to an incredible driving performance and some better putting, which would result in a multi-major season. Others estimate that he might even revert to back-to-back at Augusta national to show that his game is well suited to the course.
Tommy Fleetwood's Quest for a Major Breakthrough
The maiden PGA Tour victory of Tommy Fleetwood at the 2025 The Tour Championship was an enormous breakthrough. That win, combined with his excellent Ryder Cup performance, has analysts convinced that his first major is in hand. The major venues in 2026 suit him very well: the Open is at Royal Birkdale which is close to his hometown and he is doing well at Shinnecock Hills in the U.S. open. The omens, as one commentator remarks are good towards Tommy.
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Other Prime Major Contenders
- Ludvig Aberg: His initial major title appears to be when and not whether, as the top-10s at The Masters are already two and a powerful and fluid swing is his hallmark.
- Robert MacIntyre: The hot Scot has competed in several majors and his carefree manner is dangerous, especially in The Open.
- Cameron Young: This is a big hitter who has the capability to win on any major stage after claiming his first PGA Tour victory.
Breakout Stars Set for a Huge 2026 Season
Each season also has new stars of golf developmental tours. These players made their cards and are now prepared to leave their mark on the largest markets.
Marco Penge: The Big Hitter Arrives on the PGA Tour
Englishman Marco Penge dominated the DP World Tour in 2025, and he won 3 times. This time, he takes his monster driving distance, which is approximately 320-yards, to the PGA Tour. His course is too suited to the bomb-and-gouge game, popular on many courses in the United States. He should be a fast-paced player and a fan favorite due to his aggressive play.
Kristoffer Reitan: The Fearless Norwegian
Kristoffer Reitan was a PGA tour card holder who received the card after playing in Europe. He has been portrayed as being completely fearless and a golfer who makes low scores and has a balanced game. The fact that he easily made the jump into Challenge Tour and DP World Tour indicate that he is prepared to move to the next stage and has a potential of catching people off guard with a maiden PGA Tour championship.
Lottie Woad: The LPGA's Newest Sensation
The career of Lottie Woad has been magnificent as an amateur to a professional. Having won on Ladies European Tour as an amateur, she became a pro and after that she won the Scottish Open. She is already being pegged not only to win in the LPGA Tour, but even compete in majors. One specialist merely says that she will do big things in 2026.
More Rising Talents to Watch
- Johnny Keefer: The 2025 Korn Ferry Tour points leader creates a strong game and winning streak to the PGA Tour.
- Mimi Rhodes: Winner of three, the 2025 LET Rookie of the Year, comes to the LPGA Tour with her talent.
- Angel Ayora: Thrust into the PGA Tour within the first three years, this smooth-swinging Spaniard might have a major performance in 2026.
Comeback Players Poised for a Strong 2026
Sports involve injuries and slumps but the season of 2026 will be a chance to redeem. These are players who have demonstrated the best talent in the past and are striving to be back on their winning ways.
Will Zalatoris Aims for Healthy Return
Will Zalatoris is one of the best ball-strikers in the game who has been suffering back trouble. He is shown having had a few close calls which show that his game is at least sizeable to play in majors, should he be in perfect health. One of the most anticipated stories is his comeback, which will see him back into the winner circle shortly as long as he is given a clean bill of health.
Jordan Spieth Seeks Consistency
The three times major champion has had a problem of inconsistency and injuries. But a spark could be given by The Open coming back to Royal Birkdale, where he was an epic winner in 2017. He has said that his best version is not too far off and a well-known winning atmosphere could be the key to the turnaround year.
Max Homa Looks to Regain Top Form
Six-time PGA Tour winner Max Homa must have a reaction after a challenging 2025 that made him drop outside the top 130 in the world. This is hard to deny, and better performance at the end of last year indicates that he can turn it around in 2026.
Women's Golf Major Hopefuls for 2026
The women game is characterized by a tremendous depth and talent and there are a number of women who are on the verge of breakthrough major win or even making a comeback to the winner circle.
- Jeeno Thitikul: The ex- world number 1 is believed to be the most talented player, who has never won a major. Her steady and top-tier performance makes one believe that the breakthrough is in the offing.
- Charley Hull: Hull is a fan favorite whose style of play is an attacker but has a number of runner-ups in major championships. Analysts have expressed the view that 2026 may finally see her win big and one of them said, "I believe that 2026 will be the year she finally wins big.
- Nelly Korda: Korda won nothing in 2025 after she dominated 2024. Such a heroine should be able to come back to her winning ways and bid to be in the top ranking position once again.
Key Venues for the 2026 Major Championships
| Major Championship | Venue | Why It's Significant in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| The Masters | Augusta National Golf Club | Can Rory McIlroy win two in a row? |
| PGA Championship | Aronimink Golf Club (PA) | Course history favors players like Tommy Fleetwood & Justin Rose. |
| U.S. Open | Shinnecock Hills (NY) | Key for Scheffler’s Grand Slam bid; past success for Fleetwood. |
| The Open | Royal Birkdale (England) | Home game for Tommy Fleetwood; site of Jordan Spieth’s 2017 win. |
Expert Predictions and Quotes for 2026
The shape, the tracks and the competitors have been examined by golf analysts. These are what some of them are saying about what lies ahead of the season:
- On Tommy Fleetwood: Fleetwood tied for third at The Masters in 2024, and at the 2018 US Open in Shinnecock Hills, he had a final round of 63 and lost the second place to Graeme McDowell... The augurs are favorable of Tommy. – Paul Higham, Golf Monthly.
- About Scottie Scheffler: I say he does it at Shinnecock Hills, where it is necessary to play precisely the kind of game that Scheffler has to play. Sportsnet forecasts on Scheffler making the Grand Slam.
- On Breakout Stars: Marco Penge knocks the ball a mile and will be enamored with playing on courses with little or no rough. The American galleries will fawn on him... I expect big things." – Derek Clements, Golfshake.
- On Charley Hull: "She has nearly made it so many times already and in my thinking, she is too good to be devoid of more titles. I suppose that in 2026, she will be able to win big. – Alison Root, Golf Monthly.
Final Thoughts Golf 2026 Season Player Preview
The GOLF 2026 Season Player Preview. Histories will be hunted by Scottie Scheffler to history by Tommy Fleetwood, and the rise of such potential stars as Marco Penge and Lottie Woad will be followed up by the prospective returns of such stars as Will Zalatoris. Every week there will be an exciting storyline. You can use this player preview when you are watching the play at Augusta, Shinnecock, Royal Birkdale and others.
FAQs : Golf Season Player Preview 2026
In 2026, who does the most likely to claim his/her first major championship?
Tommy Fleetwood is the massive favorite. He finally won his first PGA Tour in 2025 and is in great condition, as well as feels at ease in the 2026 majors and is therefore the best candidate.
What new PGA Tour member or rookie may make the most impact?
Marco Penge is likely to cause an instant buzz. His game, which focuses on extreme distance off the tee, fits perfectly in PGA tour and he already knows the faith of an established winner in his era in Europe.
Will Tiger Woods be playing in 2026?
Although his future is unknown after surgery, Tiger will be 50 in the year 2026. This qualifies him to participate in the PGA Tour Champions whereby the use of a cart may enable him compete. There are numerous analysts who believe that we may see him appearing in the senior tour.
Who is the best player that could use a bounce-back season the most?
Both Max Homa and Xander Schauffele require a good season. In 2025, Homa dropped considerably down the list, and Schauffele was fighting with injury. They both possess the ability to make it back to the winning circle soon.
