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Rory McIlroy has named four rising stars who have impressed him in the 2026 PGA Tour season.
McIlroy has long been an advocate for the PGA Tour as the world’s best golf circuit despite the emergence of LIV Golf.
The Northern Irishman’s stance is based not only on top players such as him and Scottie Scheffler, but also on its young talent.
Here are the four PGA Tour golfers McIlroy named, including potential European Ryder Cup teammate Alex Fitzpatrick.
Rory McIlroy names the four young golfers impressing him on the PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy was asked for his thoughts on Alex Fitzpatrick in his latest press conference at the BMW Championship.
Having won the DP World Tour’s Indian Open in March, Alex also won the Zurich Classic alongside his brother Matt in April.
Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images
He then finished in the top 10 at the Miami Championship, the Truist Championship and the Memorial Tournament.
Fitzpatrick’s debut season has shown that young players have an opportunity to succeed easily in their PGA Tour careers.
McIlroy reflected on Alex’s season: “Yeah, it’s been amazing. I’ve known Alex a long time. Basically as long as I’ve known Matt. We always knew Alex was a really good player.
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“He played the Walker Cup at Seminole, and I got to spend a little bit of time with him as he was prepping for that. Then he’s been on the European Tour for the last couple of years. And he’s always been very, very talented.
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“He plays the game a little bit differently than his brother. Sort of approaches the game a little bit differently as well. Isn’t quite as analytical as Matt is. But he’s done fantastically well.
“I think that’s where I would love the Tour to be. You get these young guys, and you give them an opportunity.
“Like, Alex obviously got that opportunity. He played Zurich, won Zurich with his brother, but then was in the Signature Events. And I think he rattled off like three or four top 10s in the Signature Events as well.”
McIlroy then named three more rising stars who have caught his eye: Jackson Koivun, Michael Brennan and Michael Thorbjornsen.
Photo by David Berding/Getty Images
The world number two insisted that it’s “amazing” for the Tour to have young players competing with the recognised stars.
“So, giving young guys a chance. I think the PGA Tour U program is an amazing thing as well,” McIlroy continued.
“You look at Jackson Koivun, Michael Brennan, Michael Thorbjornsen, all these young guys coming through.
“That’s an amazing thing for the Tour, and I think the more young guys that can get that chance, the better.”
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