Youngest Winners in Pro Golf History
Youngest Overall Tour Winner
The youngest-ever winner in pro golf history was a 14-year-old boy from Thailand. Phachara Khongwatmai won the 2013 Sing Hua Hin Open in Thailand, a tournament that was part of the ASEAN PGA Tour schedule. Khongwatmai was 14 years, two months and 22 days old at the time.The ASEAN PGA Tour conducted tournaments in Southeast Asian countries; its membership had a lot of overlap with the Asian Tour. Khongwatmai carded rounds of 66-67-71-67 for a 13-under-par 271 total and a four-shot victory.
Khongwatmai went on to win on the Asian Development Tour in 2015 at age 15, becoming that tour's youngest winner, as well. He went on to join the Asian Tour in 2016 at age 16, and has since won tournaments in Thailand and played in the British Open.
Other Youngest Winners in Men's Tour Golf
As far as is known, the youngest winner of a men's pro golf tournament that awarded world ranking points as part of the Official World Golf Ranking is Josh Hill. Hill won the 2019 Al Ain Open on the Mena Tour at the age of 15 years, six months and 27 days. The Mena Tour is based in the Middle East and has an affiliation with the European Tour.The youngest-known winner on one of the world's major men's golf tours is Ryo Ishikawa who, at age 15 years and 8 months, won the Japan Tour's 2007 Munsingwear Open KSB Cup.
Youngest Winners in Women's Pro Golf Tournaments
The youngest-ever winner on a women's pro golf tour was also a 14-year-old from Thailand. Her name is Atthaya Thitikul. Playing in a tournament on the Ladies European Tour, the Ladies European Thailand Open, in 2017, Thitikul won it at the age of 14 years, 4 months and 19 days old.Thitikul, who goes by the nicknames of "Jeen" or "Jeeno," shot 72 in the final round of the 72-hole tournament, finishing at 5-under-par 283 and winning by two strokes. In 2019, still playing as an amateur, Thitikul won the same tournament again. She turned pro early in 2020, and, still only 17 years old, won her first tournament as a pro at the Thai LPGA Championship that year.
Other Youngest Winners in Women's Tour Golf
When Thitikul won in 2017, she broke the women's golf record previously held by Brooke Henderson. Henderson was 14 years, nine months and three days old when she won a 36-hole tournament on the Canadian Women's Tour in 2012.Lydia Ko won the New South Wales Women's Open in Australia in 2012 at the age of 14 years, nine months and five days old, and Ko also, prior to Thitikul, held the LET record with a win at age 15 years, nine months and 17 days, in the 2013 New Zealand Open.
More of Professional Golf's Youngest Winners
Here are a few more record-holders for major championships and the biggest tours:
Youngest PGA Tour Winner
- Since 1900: Charles Kocsis, 1931 Michigan Open, 18 years, 6 months, 9 days
- Post-World War II: Jordan Spieth, 2013 John Deere Classic, 19 years, 11 months, 18 days
Youngest LPGA Tour Winner
- Lydia Ko, 2012 Canadian Women's Open, 15 years, 4 months, 3 days
Youngest Men's Major Championship Winner
- All-time: Tom Morris Jr., 1868 British Open, 17 years, 5 months, 8 days
- Since 1900: Johnny McDermott, 1911 U.S. Open, 19 years, 10 months, 14 days
- Post-World War II: Tiger Woods, 1997 Masters, 21 years, 3 months, 14 days
Youngest Women's Major Championship Winner
- Lydia Ko, 2015 Evian Championship, 18 years, 4 months, 20 days
