Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy made major headlines in 2025, with the American claiming both The Open and the PGA Championship, and McIlroy finally completing the career Grand Slam.
However, journeyman JJ Spaun provided one of the year’s biggest shocks by winning the United States Open.
It was a reminder that while golf’s biggest names often dominate the conversation, surprise contenders can emerge from the rough.
For those looking to add an extra layer of excitement to the majors, there are plenty of sports free bets available to back the next breakthrough story.
Here are three players who could end their own major droughts next year.
Tommy Fleetwood
The most obvious candidate is Tommy Fleetwood. Never mind never winning one of golf’s big four tournaments – until this season, the Englishman had never even lifted a trophy on the PGA Tour.
After weeks of threatening to get over the hump, including a tied third at the FedEx St. Jude Championship and a tied fourth at the BMW Championship, Fleetwood finally broke through at the Tour Championship at East Lake in August.
He’s long been a nearly man in the majors, finishing second at the 2018 US Open, runner-up at the 2019 Open, and tied third at the 2024 Masters. On current form, he looks poised to take the next step.
With The Open returning to Royal Birkdale – just down the road from his hometown of Southport – 2026 could be the year Fleetwood finally claims the major title that has eluded him.
Russell Henley
Russell Henley’s 2025 season followed a similar trajectory to Spaun’s. Although he didn’t quite land a major, the American climbed to a career-high of fourth in the world rankings thanks to a remarkably consistent year.
His standout moment came at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March, where he secured his fifth PGA Tour victory – but his first in a signature event.
Henley’s form earned him a maiden Ryder Cup call-up, yet his major record remains the missing piece. He missed the cut at both the Masters and PGA Championship before steadying the ship with top-10 finishes in the US Open and The Open.
If he can maintain his current trajectory, 2026 might finally be the year his name joins golf’s elite list of major winners.
Robert MacIntyre
Robert MacIntyre’s 2025 campaign was nothing short of career-defining. The 29-year-old Scot claimed his first PGA Tour victory at the RBC Canadian Open in July, before adding the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on home soil at the iconic St Andrews later in the year.
He also shone on the international stage, playing a crucial role in Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph, securing a vital half-point against Sam Burns in the Sunday singles.
Now ranked seventh in the world, MacIntyre is riding a wave of confidence. After a career-best runner-up finish at this year’s US Open, the left-hander has every reason to believe he can make the final leap and become Scotland’s first male major champion since Paul Lawrie in 1999.
