The Youngest Players on Tour

The 2012 season on both the American and European golf circuits has been dominated to a large extent by players under the age of 30. As Tiger Woods, relatively senior at the age of 36, struggles his way back to the top, a number of young players including the 23-year-old world number one Rory McIlroy have shot onto the scene with a youthful energy and charisma that is transforming the image of golf and providing fans with hours of excitement every weekend.

Italy's Matteo Manassero has won the admiration of fans across the globe with his precision game and seemingly effortless putting which belies his age of just 19 years. The young Italian enjoyed a successful amateur career, placing as low amateur at the 2008 British Open. Since his professional debut in 2010, Manassero has been a consisted player on the European Tour, winning two events and setting a record for youngest winner at the Castello Masters.

South Africa's Branden Grace has enjoyed a very successful debut season on the European Tour, winning three events as a rookie and securing his place in European golf this season. Though Grace does suffer from occasional inconsistency, his powerful playing style has won him many fans this season, and as the 24-year-old continues to weather the courses of Europe, he is likely to emerge as a regular winner.

Ryo Ishikawa of Japan is an exciting contender on the world golf circuit. A disciplined and talented golfer who carded 12 birdies to win the Crowns Championship in his native Japan in 2010, Ishikawa has treated golf fans to several displays of brilliance on the course. Though the 20-year-old has a few cracks to smooth over in his game as he competes on the US PGA Tour, golf fans should keep an eye on him as he consolidates his technique and focuses on clinching titles in North America.

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