Jay Monahan will not be catching a break anytime soon. The PGA Tour’s significant pay gap with the LPGA is under scrutiny. Golf analyst Beth Ann Nichols emphasized, “Collaboration isn’t optional anymore—it’s survival,” suggesting the PGA Tour could do more to support women’s golf. Given this pressing issue, it’s no surprise that even PGA Tour pros are now calling for change, with Rory McIlroy highlighting a crucial area where the Tour needs to step up. Speaking at the latest presser at the RBC Canadian Open, he shared his thoughts on the emerging talent in golf.

When asked about Luke Clanton, who recently turned pro, and got emotional about it, Rory said, “I haven’t really met him, or I certainly haven’t played with him, so I’m looking forward to that over the next two days,” McIlroy said, expressing his anticipation to see Clanton’s skills up close. With Clanton’s impressive amateur record, including four top-10 finishes last year, it’s clear he has the skills to make a mark on the PGA TOUR. McIlroy’s enthusiasm for Clanton and other young golfers like Ludvig Aberg and Michael Thorbjornsen is palpable, and it’s exciting to think about the fresh perspectives they’ll bring to the game.

McIlroy’s praise for the PGA TOUR U program is well-deserved, and his suggestion to give more spots to college players is an intriguing one. “If it were up to me, I’d give the college kids five or ten spots on TOUR instead of just one,” he said. “I think to bring that new blood through each and every year, I think, is so important for the TOUR.” By injecting more youthful energy into the tour, golf can stay vibrant and dynamic. With Clanton and others leading the charge, the future of golf looks bright. McIlroy’s enthusiasm is infectious, and it’s clear that he’s excited to see what these young guns will bring to the table. “That’s the future of the TOUR. I love that PGA TOUR U program, and it’s great that it’s working in the way it was intended to work.”

The PGA TOUR U program has been doing wonderful things, offering a clear pathway for top collegiate players to turn pro, with notable graduate Ludvig Aberg being a prime example. Aberg, who finished top of the rankings in the 2022-2023 season, credits the program for propelling his career, saying, “It definitely propelled my career and gave me a really nice start.” The program ranks eligible NCAA Division I players based on their performance in tournaments, with the top 25 earning status on the PGA Tour, Korn Ferry Tour, or PGA Tour Americas, and the top player earning PGA Tour membership for two seasons.

Since his debut, Ludvig has put on a show. You know, winning his debut Tour event, a brilliant runner-up finish at his first Masters, and whatnot. This year was a good one, too. He started the season strong with a T5 finish at The Sentry and later claimed victory at The Genesis Invitational. He also had a solid run at the Masters Tournament, finishing 7th. However, he missed cuts at THE PLAYERS Championship, Valero Texas Open, and PGA Championship and had some less notable finishes at other tournaments, including T42 at Farmers Insurance Open and T60 at Truist Championship. More recently, he finished T16 at the Memorial Tournament.

But that is not the only way the PGA Tour has tried to help the new golfers get a footing in the hectic world of golf.

The PGA Tour cares about the young golfers

The PGA Tour’s initiative to make things better for the younger generation of golfers is all about diversity and inclusion — think “Pathway to Progression”! This program is all about spotting talented junior and collegiate golfers from underrepresented communities and giving them the tools to chase their pro golf dreams. It’s a collaborative effort with some cool partners like the Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) and the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA). Twenty-four juniors will get to join a joint AJGA/Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) tournament, a two-day development camp, and receive some awesome developmental support.

The Bridgestone Collegiate Development Program is another key part of this initiative, providing competitive opportunities and education for HBCU golfers. Think tournaments like the Bridgestone HBCU Invitational and the HBCU Performance Experience at TPC Sawgrass—all about giving these talented golfers a shot to shine! With the PGA Tour’s support, HBCUs will get the exposure and resources they need to grow their college golf programs.

So, will this initiative be the game-changer for golf’s next generation? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!