When I was growing up, my grandparents lived on a course in Palm Springs, so I played a lot of golf with my grandfather. He was a big part of my career, and I texted him after every event. After he died in 2023, I kept texting his number, telling him how I did. I hope he somehow got the message I sent him after my first PGA Tour win.

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My dad and mom worked 9-to-5 together at a printing company. My brother and I walked to the public course, Costa Mesa, across the street after school. There weren’t many other kids playing there, so we played with guys on the local community college team and guys spending too much time at the bar. My brother and I took lessons from the pro, John Ortega. He’s still my coach today.

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I was small, so I wasn’t the longest hitter. I focused on my short game. I also joined a grungy gym full of old-school guys lifting. I got really into it. When I grew six inches between freshman and sophomore year of high school, I suddenly had a well-rounded game.

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I played basketball, baseball and soccer, but I knew I was better than most kids at golf. I could shape shots when others couldn’t. After my freshman year, I decided to focus on golf. We didn’t have the money to travel far for tournaments, so we picked events that were drivable or near friends that we could stay with to save on hotel costs.

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Nathaniel Smith

I went to UCLA, where the academics are no joke. If I’d gone somewhere else, I would’ve had an easier academic experience and more time to practice. I worked hard in school and practiced and lifted as much as I could. Looking back, I should’ve focused on longevity rather than size in the gym.

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After the fall of my senior year in 2015, I wanted to leave school. That summer, I’d qualified for the U.S. Open and finished third in stroke play at the U.S. Amateur. I didn’t have status anywhere, but I felt ready, so I left college with one semester to go. My parents, who were helping to pay my tuition, were OK with my decision, especially after I argued, “You can stop paying, and I can start earning.” I thought everything would fall into place. I know now that I was too impatient.

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Canadian Tour Q school was the first time I felt an insane amount of pressure in golf. My parents let me leave college, so if I don’t make it through, I’m going to be a complete failure. I didn’t make it. I was devastated, but I was living at home and had enough sponsorship money to play in Monday qualifiers. In 2017 I went back to Canadian Tour Q school and won by seven shots. Then, some back issues flared up. I think they were from overworking in the gym.

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I came back in 2018, played terribly and lost my status. I’d been a pro for three years and hadn’t had any real success. Frustrated, I played some pickup basketball and seriously sprained my ankle. I thought about quitting. The injury would heal, but I was out of money. Then a generous member at my club stepped in and supported me. I decided to keep going. I focused less on distance and more on accuracy off the tee, and it helped. I won twice on the Canadian Tour and got Korn Ferry status for the 2020 season. I was finally in a groove, then COVID hit.

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In 2021, I tried to change my swing to become a better wedge player, but I couldn’t make the new moves. I learned that you don’t need to change your swing, you just have to own what you do. I struggled that year. I spent the last of my money on Q school and didn’t get through. I had opened up a lot of credit cards, so I needed a side hustle.

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While interviewing to be a barback, a bar in Costa Mesa called The Country Club asked if I would do security. It wasn’t a rowdy place, so I wasn’t too worried about getting hurt. Most of the time you’re just checking IDs. Once in a while, you’re dealing with drunk guys who need to go home. I enjoyed it.

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I spent a few months practicing all day and working at night. I got my Korn Ferry status back for 2023, when all the work I’d been doing finally showed up. I had 10 top-10 finishes and earned my PGA Tour card. It didn’t happen as fast as I thought it would when I was a 21-year-old kid dropping out of college, but I was right. I made it to the tour.

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The PGA Tour is a big circus. There are always eyes on you, the courses are harder, and Rory, Scottie and Xander are in the field. I remind myself that I’ve earned it. I won in Mexico in just my fifth tournament in 2024. I still haven’t processed it. I brought my family and friends to the Masters, but one person was missing. My grandpa would’ve loved to have seen me play at Augusta. One day, I hope I text him to let him know that I made a Ryder Cup team.

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