While Rory McIlroy is world-class throughout the bag, there is surely no question that it is his driving that stands out as his greatest strength across his career.
Rory McIlroy is an all-time great. He completed the Career Grand Slam after winning The Masters in 2025. There is a reason why Tommy Fleetwood believes McIlroy is the most talented player of this generation.
Who do you think could be the PGA Tour’s breakout star of 2026?
There are plenty of hugely talented young players…
His superpower becomes clear when he is using the longest club in the bag. He was fourth for strokes gained off the tee in 2025, having been the PGA Tour‘s second longest hitter.
Only Aldrich Potgieter hit it further last season. But it is another one-time winner on tour who has been picked out as the most talented driver of the golf ball since McIlroy emerged onto the scene.
Youngster labelled the PGA Tour’s best driver since Rory McIlroy
One of the most remarkable stories of the FedEx Cup Fall came in Utah in October.
Michael Brennan marked his first PGA Tour start as a professional by winning by four. That was his fourth victory in three months following three wins on PGA Tour Americas.
And speaking on Golf Channel, Todd Lewis backed the 23-year-old to be a breakout star on the PGA Tour in 2026.
“There are a lot of good young players out there, but I can tell you, I was at the Bank of Utah Championship and this kid, Michael Brennan, who won three times on the PGA Tour Americas, played at Wake Forest, got his sponsor invitation and, to borrow a line from our good friend, he hits it like a God. I’m talking about Brandel Chamblee, that’s what he would say if he saw this guy play,” he said.
“I haven’t seen a guy drive the golf ball on the PGA Tour that well maybe since Rory McIlroy came on the scene. He has so much power and accuracy. Speaking with him, covering him that week, he has such maturity for a young man in his early 20s. I think he has incredible potential. And I look for him to be a force on the PGA Tour next year and beyond.”
What Jason Day thought of Michael Brennan after playing in Utah the week he won
It is not only the pundits and reporters who have been particularly impressed by the youngster.
Jason Day was in the field that week at Black Desert Resort. And speaking to Charley Hull ahead of the Grant Thornton Invitational, the Australian admitted that he had been so impressed by Brennan.
Who do you think will win the Sony Open in Hawaii this week?
J.J. Spaun, Keegan Bradley and Jordan Spieth are involved in a strong field at Waialae
“You’re playing with Michael Brennan who just recently won on the PGA Tour. Hits it an absolute mile, oh my God. Like 190, 195 ball speed, that’s insane,” he said on his YouTube channel.
Brennan will be one of the players in the field this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii.
It is a hugely impressive lineup to kick off the 2026 season, with four of the world’s top 10 teeing it up. So it would certainly be a statement if he can put himself in contention at Waialae.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
