What were you doing when you were a teenager? This lot were teeing up on the grandest of stages

Teenage sensations have continued to burst onto the world golf scene over the years, proving that age is just a number in this wonderfully inclusive sport. Take a look as we provide the complete list of the youngest golfers to ever compete in the biggest tours and major tournaments.  

Youngest golfers on the PGA Tour

Don Dunkelberger, 11 years old (Chicago Open, 1937)
Lorens Chan, 14 years old (Sony Open, 2009)
George Burtoft, 14 years old (Utah Open, 1937)
Michelle Wie, 14 years old (Sony Open, 2004)*
Marshall Springer, 14 years old (Chicago Open, 1937)

Youngest winner: Chuck Kocsis, 18 years old (Michigan Open, 1931)

*Wie was given a sponsor’s exemption to play in the tournament, becoming the fifth woman and youngest ever to play in a PGA Tour event. 

Youngest golfers on the DP World Tour

Ye Wocheng, 12 years old (China Open, 2013)
Louis Klein, 12 years old (Czech Masters, 2022)
Lev Grinberg, 14 years old (Soudal Open, 2022)
Kuang Yang, 14 years old (China Open, 2019)
Sergio Garcia, 15 years old (Turespana Masters, 1995)

Youngest winner: Matteo Manassero, 17 years old (Castello Masters 2010)

Italian Open

Youngest golfers to play in major championships

The Masters: Tianlang Guan, 14 years old (2013)
PGA Championship: Ryo Ishikawa, 17 years old (2009)
US Open: Andy Zhang, 14 years old (2012)
The Open: Zane Scotland, 16 years old (1999)

Youngest golfers on the LPGA Tour

Ariya Jutanugarn, 11 years old (Honda Thailand, 2007)
Michelle Liu, 12 years old (Canadian Open, 2019)

Youngest winner: Lydia Ko, 15 years old (Canadian Open, 2015)

Youngest golfers on the Ladies European Tour

Lisa Maguire, 12 years old (Northern Ireland Ladies Open, 2007)
Leona Maguire 12 years old (Northern Ireland Ladies Open, 2007)

Youngest winner: Atthaya Thitikul, 14 years old (Thailand Championship 2017)

Youngest golfers to play in the Ryder Cup

Team Europe: Sergio Garcia, 19 years old (1999)
Team USA: Collin Morikawa, 24 years old (2020)

Youngest golfers to play in the Solheim Cup

Team Europe: Charley Hull, 17 years old (2013)
Team USA: Lexi Thompson, 18 years old (2013)

Charley Hull

George Cooper

A golf fanatic his entire life, George Cooper is NCG's man for all goings-on at the top level of the game, whether it's the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA or LIV Golf. He also looks after NCG's Twitter and Facebook accounts. George is a member of Woburn, but is not friends with Ian Poulter.

Handicap: 14

PGA Catalunya Stadium PGA Catalunya Stadium

The NCG Top 100s Tour is heading to Europe for a multi-day event at PGA Catalunya. Prices start at £799 per golfer.

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