Johnson just the latest face in burst of young talent

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Dustin Johnson won more than $1 million on Sunday in Turning Stone.

When Dustin Johnson won the Turning Stone Resort Championship last weekend, it signified more than just another young guy poking his head into the winner's circle.

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Johnson, who played well early in his rookie season before disappearing for most of the summer, is the latest Walker Cup alum to make his presence known on the PGA TOUR.

The win was a game-changer for the Coastal Carolina grad: He jumped 87 spots to No. 41 on the money list, increased his winnings to $1.7 million for the year and secured his playing privileges for two seasons. And, in an unofficial PGA TOUR category, he became the winningest Johnson on TOUR this season, surpassing Johnson Wagner (No. 63), Richard S. Johnson (No. 106) and Zach "Honey, where Are My FootJoys?" Johnson at No. 125.

His victory may also signal a new wave of Walker Cuppers who can make a successful jump from amateur to professional golf. Not only do these guys bring talent, they carry the sort of international experience that should come in handy for future Ryder Cup competitions.

The Walker Cup is the most prestigious team event in amateur golf. The biennial competition features the top 10 Americans against their counterparts from Great Britain and Ireland. It's just like the Ryder Cup, with just as much pressure, only with fewer spectators.

Two members of the 2005 Walker Cup team -- Anthony Kim and J.B. Holmes -- played for and were significant contributors to this year's victorious U.S. Ryder Cup team. In the run-up to the Ryder Cup, both talked about the pressure of playing in the Walker Cup and how it would help them at Valhalla.

What about the other guys on that 2005 team?

Nicholas Thompson won more than $1.5 million this season, has been in contention several times and has the confidence to play at a high level.

Jeff Overton earned more than $1 million last year and has seven career top 10s, including a runner-up at the Wyndham Championship.

Three others are playing well on the Nationwide Tour and could play their way onto the TOUR next year. Matt Every is No. 29 on the money list, with Kyle Reifers No. 45 and Michael Putnam No. 46.

The jury is still out on some of the others. Billy Hurley is fulfilling a military obligation at the Naval Academy, and Brian Harman -- the youngest player on the team -- is finishing his senior year at the University of Georgia.

Johnson is the first member of the 2007 Walker Cup team to capture a title on TOUR. His breakthrough shifts attention to that extremely talented unit, which was loaded with younger players, some still a couple of years away from playing for pay.

There are several others ready to follow in Johnson's footsteps:

Colt Knost: The 2007 U.S. Amateur and U.S. Public Links champion hasn't had the meteoric rise many thought he would. He spent this season on the Nationwide Tour but won two events and will earn his card for the 2008 PGA TOUR. Not yet a complete product, he has a great upside. Just don't ask him about why he didn't wait to turn pro until after the Masters; he's still a little testy about that subject.

Webb Simpson and Chris Kirk: Lump these guys together because of their physical resemblance. Kirk -- who played at Georgia -- and Simpson -- who played at Wake Forest -- once dressed in the other's school colors to trick their college coaches.

Kirk, the NCAA Player of the Year in 2007, had limited success on the Nationwide Tour. Steady and unflappable, he is expected to be a good professional. He nearly had a breakthrough in Knoxville, but he lost to Jarrod Lyle in a playoff and is currently No. 73 on the money list.

Simpson hasn't had as many chances to play because of his q-school flameout last year, but he nearly won the Nationwide Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr. Pepper and contended at the PGA TOUR's Travelers Championship. Sitting at No. 85 on the Nationwide Tour money list, Simpson is capable of throwing a 63 on the board at almost any time.

Then there are the younger players: Jonathan Moore left Oklahoma State early and is playing the Tar Heel Tour. Billy Horschel is a senior at Florida and has oodles of talent, as well as nerves of steel. And Rickie Fowler (a sophomore at Oklahoma State) and Jamie Lovemark (a junior at Southern Cal) will have plenty of endorsements available the minute they decide to leave school.

Chances are that when 2012 Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III -- just a suggestion -- makes his lineup card, many of these guys will be represented.

Stan Awtrey is a freelance columnist for PGATOUR.COM. His views do not necessarily reflect the views of the PGA TOUR.