Cameron Young: A Golfing Prodigy on the Rise

By Indra Gunawan August 05, 2024 12:15

Photo by SNS Group via Getty Images

Cameron Young has turned a lot of heads in the world of professional golf. He's an extremely talented player, not just because he's one to watch right now but because of how quickly he moved through various stages while still being so young. In this article, we will attempt to dive into Young's early years in golf and professional aspirations, the phenomenal season one year from today, the playing style of the LJGT standout player, and his prospects.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Cameron David Young was born on May 7, 1997, in Scarborough, New York. Growing up in an athletic family, Young was exposed to golf at a young age. His love of the game started at a young age and continued to develop over time while playing at local courses, and would go on to Fordham Preparatory School, embarking on a career in high school golfing that showed what he was capable of doing as an up-and-coming star.

He played for the United States in events like The Junior Ryder Cup and Junior Golf World Cup. That victory in the 2014 AJGA Polo Golf Junior Classic showed early on that he had a game. He honed his golfing skills during a hugely successful college career at Wake Forest University, where he won numerous awards, including individual honors in the 2015 U.S.818 Tournament of Collegiate Championship. His amateur achievements peaked at the U.S. Amateur Championship, where he made it to the second round but lost in a duel against future masters winner Jon Rahm.

Move to the Next Level

In 2019, Cameron Young turned professional to begin his quest through the thick jungle of pro golf. His early career started on the Korn Ferry Tour, and it was only a short time before his star was established. His breakthrough in 2021 also came with Young winning consecutive events to claim a PGA Tour card for the 2021-22 season. He won twice on the Korn Ferry Tour, proving he can compete and win at a high level.

Playing his first full season on the PGA Tour, Young showed remarkable consistency and proficiency. He ended the campaign with five second-place finishes, capped by a playoff loss in the Sullivans Valero Texas Open. He comforted himself that day in San Antonio's third round 63, one foot away from solo leader Joel Dahmen, where he backed up his ability to get into contention under those circumstances. Young only managed to rank but has shown flashes of brilliance and won the 2021-22 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year award, demonstrating his ability and talent in pro-level competitions.

Breakout Year and Coming of Age

Young finished second at the 2022 Open Championship, just one stroke behind Cameron Smith, after opening with a bogey-free round of 64, the lowest score in R1, and leading by three strokes heading into Sunday. The performance also showed he could compete in high-profile situations, identifying him as someone to watch at future tournaments.

Young remained competitive throughout the 2022-23 season and consistently placed in the top ten at most tournaments, keeping him on Tour. As of April 2023, he has a career-best Official World Golf Ranking ranking position of 13, demonstrating his rise in the game. His victories in majors, plus his run of good finishes on the PGA Tour, have stamped Young as one of golf's more elite hotshots.

Playing Style and Strengths

Young is known for his power off the tee and solid ball striking. At 5 foot 11 inches and 185 pounds, he has the length to generate plenty of club head speed, which makes him a force off the tee.

Young, along with his power, comes with versatility and shot-making. He can find his way around difficult courses, partly because he has the sort of bag it takes to play nearly every shot you need.

Future Outlook and Potential

While the best is still yet to come in Cameron Young, he appears on the cusp of making a significant impact during his playing days with an incredibly bright future. He has plenty of time at just 27 years old to improve and become a regular contender on the PGA Tour. Ranked 23rd in the Official World Golf Ranking, he has shown he is capable of more, and many believe his potential scope is greater.

That bodes well for Young as he looks toward future Pebble Beach Pro-Ams or major championships. Judging by his performances in recent tournaments, it is easy to believe he can hold his own against the best players on the planet. By rolling the ball in and continuing to strike it like one of the best players, Young could easily put himself on leaderboards at future majors.

In addition, Young is only expected to gain more experience playing at this elite level of the sport; his growth within high-pressure matches will likely be accelerated in future run-ins. With the golf world watching closely, there's lots of speculation that it is only a matter of time before he wins on Tour and can take advantage of catch-up actions following one significant triumph.