At the beginning of 2025, I wrote about the best players who never won a major.
In case you missed it, here is that list.
I was happy with how this roster turned out, but the one thing you’ll notice is that there are essentially no active players involved. Some of them are technically still playing, but I think we can close the book on either of these guys winning a major championship.
So I wanted to publish another list that was meant to reflect active players who still have a legitimate shot at winning a major.
My criteria here? You must be younger than 40 years old. If a player hasn’t been important in a major league over the last five years, I didn’t include them. I’m also keeping this list limited to the men’s game.
I’m basing this half on career achievements and the other half on the potential to still win a major. Hopefully we can achieve something justifiable. Please respect my proprietary model (I will not ask any questions at this time).
These are the guys who will be disappointed if their degree never comes – but there’s still time for that shining moment.
10. Tony’s controversy
- Age: 36
- Career PGA Tour Wins: 6
- Key Top-10 finishes: 11
- Best Major Performance: Open Championship 2019 (3)
- DataGolf Ranking: The 99th
Tony Finau, where are you now?
It’s been a tough few years for Finau, the 36-year-old who hasn’t won since the Mexico Open in 2023. He’s down to No. 99 on Data Golf and has just one top-10 this season.
However, it was only two years ago that Finau was a good 20th player in the world. A year ago, he was the 10th best player in the world.
His major record is pretty respectable, all things considered. We’ll see if his best golf is behind him or if he can get back on track for a late-career renaissance.
9. Joaquin Niemann
- Age: 27
- Career PGA Tour Wins: 2 (8 wins in LIV)
- Key Top-10 finishes: 2
- Best Major Performance: 2026 US Open (T7)
- DataGolf Ranking: The 40s
Wait a second. Niemann’s career-best major league finish just last weekend?
If not for an 11-under disaster on the par-4 sixth hole early in the tournament — his score included a two-stroke penalty due to a club shot — Niemann might have been in the mix at Shinnecock.
However, Niemann has been a disappointing player in the majors. He has never been in serious competition despite having made 28 starts. Youth is no longer an excuse.
His talent is clear. He has dominated LIV time after time and was a rising star on the PGA Tour before he left. Niemann’s game has dipped this season, but he still has plenty of time to become a player at the biggest events.
8. Tyrrell Hatton
- Age: 34
- Career PGA Tour Wins: 1 (8 on DP World Tour)
- Key Top-10 finishes: 9
- Best Major Performance: Masters 2026 (T3)
- DataGolf Ranking: 24
Hatton falls into a similar bucket as Niemann. The main difference is age as Hatton is seven years older.
Hatton’s major record is better – though still poor – and he has a better set of wins outside the majors.
I don’t think Hatton will win a major, but he is a class player with a relatively high ceiling.
7. Rickie Fowler
- Age: 37
- Career PGA Tour Wins: 6
- Key Top-10 finishes: 13
- Best Major Performance: Masters 2018 (2)
- DataGolf Ranking: 53
A few years ago, Fowler would have been No. 1 on this list.
I’m settling for #7 here because he hasn’t even come close to competing in a major since 2023. Only qualifying for the majors it has been a difficult battle.
This will probably never happen, but you have to respect the body of work. No one on this list has come closer to winning a major on more occasions. Fowler put himself in the hunt at several majors, including in 2014, when he looked great in all four.
6. Ludwig Aberg
- Age: 26
- Career PGA Tour Wins: 2
- Key Top-10 finishes: 3
- Best Major Performance: Masters 2024 (2)
- DataGolf Ranking: 8
I have said that Aberg has the talent to be the number 1 player in the world. Those are high expectations, but I believe in his talent and attitude.
Aberg has proven that his ceiling is high. He is one of the top 10 players in the game. Even with his B game, he still has the ability to get into contention. This includes engaging in warfare in several majors.
Closing out the innings has been tough, but you have to remember Aberg is still only 26 years old. He’s just coming into his prime now. Barring injury, I’d be surprised if he ends his career without a major title.
5. Cameron Young
- Age: 29
- Career PGA Tour Wins: 3
- Key Top-10 finishes: 7
- Best Major Performance: Open Championship 2022 (second)
- DataGolf Ranking: 9th
Like Aberg, this selection is more forward looking than Young’s past.
The 29-year-old American is just reaching the peak of his career and has proven that he can compete in the majors. All three of his Tour wins have come in the last 10 months, so he’s hot right now.
Young was in contention at the Masters this year (T3) but was eliminated from the PGA (T26) and US Open (T43).
4. Sam Burns
- Age: 29
- Career PGA Tour Wins: 5
- Key Top-10 finishes: 4
- Best Major Performance: 2026 US Open (2nd)
- DataGolf Ranking: 7
For a long time, the knock against Burns was that he never competed in the majors. Well, he’s getting into the mix now.
Burns is T9-T7-2 in his last three US Opens, coming very close to a playoff at Shinnecock last week. He also had a T7 at this year’s Masters, so that looks encouraging. These results have moved him up the list.
Burns is a standout player and doesn’t seem afraid of the moment. His 1-3-2 Ryder Cup record is concerning, but I believe Burns is maturing as a player and establishing himself as a top 10 golfer in the world.
3. Viktor Hovland
- Age: 28
- Career PGA Tour Wins: 7
- Key Top-10 finishes: 5
- Best Major Performance: 2023 PGA Championship (T2)
- DataGolf Ranking: 23
Hovland is often cited as the best active player without a Masters. He is not no. 1 on my list, but you could make a case that he should be.
He has seven Tour wins and has given himself a good chance to win several tournaments. There is plenty of time for it.
I think what bothers me is that Hovland’s career trajectory seems so random. As of 2024, Hovland’s top scores were MC-3-MC-MC-T21-T28-3-T63-T18-MC-MC.
It’s totally feast or famine. You never know with Hovland. I still think he’ll win a big one these days.
2. Patrick Cantlay
- Age: 34
- Career PGA Tour Wins: 8
- Key Top-10 finishes: 5
- Best Major Performance: 2024 US Open (T3)
- DataGolf Ranking: 13
You can really take this in any direction you want.
Cantlay has enjoyed a stellar career, winning eight times and being a key part of Team USA golf. Including FedEx Cup bonuses and other unofficial payments, Cantlay has made about $90 million on the tour.
But Cantlay is pretty much a ghost in the majors. In 38 starts, he has just five top-10 finishes. Maybe two of them were legitimate looks to win, and even that’s being generous.
1. Tommy Fleetwood
- Age: 35
- Career PGA Tour Wins: 1 (8 DP World Tour wins)
- Key Top-10 finishes: 8
- Best Major Performance: US Open 2018 (2)
- DataGolf Ranking: 4
Fleetwood is the highest ranked golfer on this list in terms of current performance.
Crossing the finish line has always been a problem for Tommy, but it felt like his 2025 Tour Championship win could give him a boost heading into the 2026 Championships. This has not happened as T33-MC-T11 is not a particularly inspiring set of results. There will be a lot of pressure on him at Royal Birkdale for the Open Championship.
Of anyone on this list, I think Fleetwood has the most to earn a reputation by earning a degree. It would be an extremely popular victory and completely change the way golf fans view it.
What do you think of this list? How would you change it? Let me know below in the comments.
Top Photo Caption: Sam Burns reacts after missing a birdie putt on the 72nd hole at the US Open. (Getty Images/Cliff Hawkins)
