5 Young Golfers Who Have the Talent to Keep Rory McIlroy from Immortality

Is this a trend?

Two majors, two years and he's only twenty-three.  Rory Mcllroy came from Holywood Golf Club in Northern Ireland and he's about as close to going Hollywood as the next great film star or wannabe that has two Academy Awards.  He has won two majors on vastly different golf courses and he has an attitude that will make the PGA Tour's next generation player take notice.

But, wait one second.

There is a group of twenty-something players that will have something to say about his success––players in his age bracket that will either make a stand, and affirm their positions on the leaderboard and in the win column.  

They have perspectives on how to win, but the game is to sit atop the leaderboard.  And, there is a sentiment among them that this is not a one horse race.

Tom Watson recently said, "The playing field is level.  Everyone has swing coaches.  Everyone has video technology.  All the players have the equipment, mental make-up and the game is changing."

While Mcllroy has two majors in his vault, the group of players winning their first major was vast until Kiawah.  

Names like Charl Schwartzel, Luis Oosthuizen, Bubba Watson, Lucas Glover, Keegan Bradley, and Martin Kaymer have all grabbed a green jacket, Claret Jug, Wannamaker or U.S. Open in recent years.  This populous has a moxie that will usher the game into the next ten years. 

But, which players have the ability to harness the Mcllroy train from taking a locomotive kind of momentum into the next five years?  Which players can see through the hype of the lads young game and penetrate the helium filled expectations that so many golf insiders have placed on the kid from Northern Ireland.  Which players have the best chance to become synonymous with majors.

Here they are:

5. Dustin Johnson

Dustin Johnson is like that dripping faucet.  Everyone has seen it.  The faucet drips, one drop at a time.  The beads of water splash into the sink, leaving a single rhythmic splash.  

Johnson has shown splashes of excellence.  He has a swing that has staying power.  It's just that his swing and his attitude has not translated to wins.  Someone call the plumber!

When he uncorks his potential, the twenty-eight-year old may turn from a drip, drip, to an tsunami of major championships. If and when he finally breaks through––the impact may effect the young gun from Northern Ireland.

Johnson is Michael Phelps-like athletic and he has the temperament to win on a crowded leaderboard, it just has not happened––yet.

4. Rickie Fowler

The 'human creamsicle' might have more good humor after he learns how to close on the golf course.  

And, if he makes amends for what appears to be a lack of confidence on the greens, the young sensation might let Rory play for second place.  Breaking into the winner circle in 2012 is certain to give him a sense of purpose as the rest of the season unfolds.

He is branded, now he needs to back up his marketing machine.

3. Keegan Bradley

Not since we saw Notah Begay switch sides to putt the golf ball have we witnessed a player eye ball the golf ball quite like Keegan Bradley.  When he out-distanced Jason Duffner at the Atlanta Athletic Club to win the 2011 PGA Championship, some thought he staying power was limited.  His come from behind win at Firestone in 2012 made some non-believers, believers.

Bradley can get the ball out of the shoot down the fairway and when his tee-to-green game is on target, he has a competitive instinct that we saw in the generation before him.  

Bradley has a chance, with one major in his bag, to garner attention away from Mcllroy.

2. Ryo Ishikawa

This might be the player with the most upside.  He turned professional in 2008 after winning everything in Japan except the sushi eating championship!

There is a reason the now 20-year-old has a future on the PGA Tour, he simply has no flaws.  He has a tremendous short game and by the end of 2008 he had become the youngest ever player to reach the top 100 of the World Gold rankings.

Ishikawa played in PGA Tour tournaments for the first time in 2009 missing three cuts.  He has the game of a much more mature player.

His nickname, "Hanikami Ōji" means bashful prince, and if Rory looks in his rear-view mirror he might just see Ryo.  

And so, it means that we might have future duels that go something like this; "Ryo and Rory, in the final group at Augusta.  If only Roy Hobbs played baseball."

1. Webb Simpson

He just flat out gets it.  He gets the nuances of the game.  He handles himself well off the fairways.  He puts a perspective on what is important and he is capable of major things.  

His win at the Olympic Club was no accident, he plays solid golf tee to green and, depending on what the R&A and Tim Finchem decide, the belly putter may keep him around long enough to win some more big-time events.

Grounded in life and tee to green, Simpson is the new millennium version of Jack Nicklaus.