Johnny Keefer. Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Four newcomers you need to know ahead of 2026 PGA Tour season

By Jack Dougherty | Last updated Jan 13, 2026 2:07 PM ET

The 2026 PGA Tour season kicks off this week from the Sony Open in Hawaii at Waialae Country Club. We all know about the Scottie Schefflers and Rory McIlroys of the world, but what about the rookies ready to make a name for themselves?

Here are four talented newcomers you need to know for the 2026 PGA Tour season.

Johnny Keefer

Keefer hasn't even started his PGA Tour career yet, but he's already being compared to Scheffler. The 25-year-old won the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, becoming the first player to win both awards since Scheffler in 2019.

Last season, Keefer won twice and recorded 13 top-15 finishes on the KFT, outclassing his peers every step of the way. He also finished T13 in his PGA Tour debut at the 2024 Procore Championship and T7 at the RSM Classic in November. Keefer is ready to prove he can hang with the big guns on the PGA Tour.

Marco Penge

Penge is one of the leaders of the young bomber movement. Last year, he led the DP World Tour in strokes gained from off the tee (+1.08) and ranked fifth in driving distance (319.26). He also won three times and led the DP World Tour in scoring average (69.39) in 2025.

Marco Penge 187mph rockets in South Africa pic.twitter.com/ocPf6Y7C2N
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 8, 2026

Penge is brimming with ball-striking talent, so we're excited to see how his game stacks up when going up against the best players in the world.

Kristoffer Reitan

Reitan was one of the best stories in golf last year. After grinding on the Challenge Tour for years, the Norwegian returned to the DP World Tour in 2025 and recorded two wins and eight top-six finishes in a stretch of 18 starts to punch his ticket to the PGA Tour.

Reitan is a fantastic driver and putter. He also proved he can compete at the highest level when he finished T13 at the Genesis Scottish Open and T30 at the Open Championship last year.

Haotong Li

If you followed the major championships last season, you probably remember Li from his T4 at the Open Championship when he went toe-to-toe with Scheffler in the final round. He showed the world at Royal Portrush that he's not afraid to get in the mix with the best players in the world.

Li could quickly become your favorite golfer because of his infectious, bubbly personality. No one has more fun on the golf course, but he also has a fiery competitive side that he's ready to unleash on the PGA Tour.

Jack Dougherty

Jack Dougherty has been writing professionally since 2015, contributing to publications such as GoPSUSports. com, Centre Daily Times, Associated Press, and Sportscasting. com

More must-reads: