Young guns take on Tour Championship

It wasn’t long ago that one of the most common questions asked around the PGA Tour concerned youth, or rather the lack of it. Just where were all the young guys — the under-30s — who were going to carry the torch for the sport over the next 20 years?

That question isn’t asked much these days. The young bunch has arrived. And they’re winning.

There are eight players in their 20s who qualified for this week’s Tour Championship at East Lake. That’s nearly one-third of the field for the final event of the FedEx Cup playoffs.

Seven of the eight have won tournaments on the PGA Tour. Six of the eight have won this year. Three competed in the Ryder Cup last week. One has won a major championship, and another has come close many times.

So what’s the difference? How have Anthony Kim, Hunter Mahan and their pals managed to make up so much ground on their older brethren.

The roots may be found in junior golf. From the first time a youngster plays for a medal, he’s looking to win. College coaches notice those who know how to compete when it gets hot.

“All the juniors have grown up thinking is winning is what you try to do every week,” said Kim, who has won twice this year. “It’s not about finishing in the top five or top 10. I think it would be easy to look at a top-five finish and say, wow, I made a lot of money. But really, after getting a taste of victory, there’s nothing sweeter.”

Nick Faldo, a six-time major champion, said last week that the young players have a different mind-set. They fancy a go-for-it style nearly all the time.

“I asked one of the young players, ‘What are you thinking here?’ He said, ‘I’m going for it,’ ” Faldo said. “Going for it? With bunkers there, there, there and there? But that’s the way they play.”

This week’s group of 20-somethings all exemplify that style, but all have prospered from the gambling approach.

Kim, 23: He won the Wachovia Championship and AT&T Championship this season, two of the tour’s top-tier events. He ranks sixth on the FedEx Cup points list and has won $4.2 million this season.

Mahan, 26: He hasn’t won this year but has five top 10s, including the two most recent playoff events. He’s shot 64 or lower 12 times. Mahan ranks 16th on the points list and has won $2 million.

Camilo Villegas, 26: The former Florida Gator won his first PGA Tour event three weeks ago, the BMW Championship, and is No. 2 on the FedEx Cup points list. He’s won $3.1 million.

D.J. Trahan, 27: The Atlanta-born Trahan won the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic to start the season, his second career win. He ranks No. 25 in points and has won $2.1 million.

Andres Romero, 27: After nearly winning the British Open in 2007, Romero has shown the ability to play well in big events. He tied for eighth at the Masters and tied for seventh at the PGA Championship. He was one of 11 players who made the cut in all majors in 2008. Romero won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and is No. 27 on the points list, having won $1.9 million.

Sergio Garcia, 28: He has played well in the FedEx Cup, with a tie for second at Barclays and tie fifth at Deutsche Bank. Garcia won The Players Championship in the spring and nearly won the PGA Championship. He’s No. 3 in FedEx points and has won $4.1 million.

Trevor Immelman, 28: He’s the only one of the group to own a major championship; Immelman won the Masters in the spring. He also lost to Justin Leonard in a playoff at the St. Jude Championship. He’s No. 19 on the list, with earnings of $2.4 million.

Bubba Watson, 29: The popular long-hitting former Bulldog is still seeking his first win; his best finish in 2008 was a tie for second at the Buick Open. He’s won $1.4 million and ranks 29th on the FedEx Cup points list.