General / Paul Krishnamurty / 23 December 2008 /

Four outstanding youngsters and one hungry 39-year-old make up Paul Krishnamurty's list of the top European Tour prospects for 2008.

Rory McIlroy

From the moment he turned pro less than 18 months ago, the chorus of golf pundits tipping Rory McIlroy as the next big thing has grown in size and confidence. At the age of just 19, he is ranked in the world's top-50 and will make the first of what will surely be dozens of trips to Augusta for the Masters in April. He is certainly better than Tiger Woods was at this age, and the best teenager to emerge since Sergio Garcia took the world by storm ten years ago.

McIlroy already has an army of punters backing him week in, week out, but so far returns have been scarce with that first professional win still elusive. However, the patient gambler should be rewarded over the long-term, as even his current level of form is good enough to promise a couple of titles in Europe next year. By the end of 2008, McIlroy had established himself as an almost permanent fixture on leaderboards, and must be considered rather unlucky not to have won already after a couple of play-off defeats.

Martin Kaymer

The 2007 Rookie of the Year made huge progress over the last 12 months, with two lucrative wins, and three runners-up spots in big events. Considering the 23-year-old has so much improvement yet to come, he must represent an intimidating prospect to the rest. Kaymer still shows many signs of inexperience; in terms of course management, short-iron distance control and short game. As he inevitably improves in those areas, so will his scorecards and that will make him a strong candidate at the very highest level.

For now though, the top European Tour events seem the most realistic target. There's every reason he think he'll make ground early on in the Race to Dubai, during the forthcoming 'Middle-East Swing', as Kaymer won his maiden title in Abu Dhabi and also finished runner-up to Tiger in Dubai. Clearly desert golf suits his talents, and he won't mind the shift of golf prize money and power to that part of the world.

Gareth Maybin

Maybin's performances on the Challenge Tour had already attracted rave reviews, but his profile increased dramatically in the final week of 2008. In only his fourth start as a fully qualified European Tour player, Maybin very nearly landed the prestigious South African Open, losing in a play-off after leading through most of the final round. Don't expect to see pre-tournament odds of [360.00] again for a while.

A relatively late developer, the 28-year-old from Ballyclare has already played plenty of competitive golf, making his mark on the US college circuit and the low-grade NGA Hooters Tour. On Sunday's evidence, he already has a cool temperament and won't need too many opportunities before winning his first main tour event.

Danny Willett

Hailing from Sheffield, Willett looks the latest outstanding British prospect from what seems like a never-ending production line. He has already been the No.1 ranked amateur in the world, and looks well forward in terms of golfing development for a 21-year-old. Four top-20 finishes from ten starts on the European Tour since turning pro six months ago represents a decent start, and having eased through Q-School, Willett is expected to make an impact in his first full season at the top level.

Obviously, expectations should be tempered so early on in his career, but he looks the sort of rapidly improving player who could win at a very big price. Certainly at odds well above [100.00], he's a promising regular trade.

Michael Campbell

'Form is temporary, class is permanent' is a phrase that should always be kept in mind when weighing up the prospects of Michael Campbell. At least three times during a 15 year top-class career, Campbell has gone through a lengthy phase looking completely 'gone' at the game, and every time he bounced back impressively. 2008 was a similar story, with virtually no form to speak of until July, followed by a dramatic improvement and relentlessly consistent spell in Europe.

Make no mistake, the former US Open and World Matchplay champion is a genuinely world-class performer; one of the very best iron players of recent times. He hasn't won anywhere near as much as he should, probably due to a lack of commitment, discipline and enthusiasm at times. However, as he approaches his 40th birthday, Campbell appears fit, in-form and judging by recent interviews, hungry again. He remains perfectly capable of adding to that 2005 Major title at Pinehurst, and is guaranteed to start at huge odds to do so.

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