University of South Carolina senior Nathan Franks etched his name in golf history on Monday by winning The Q at Myrtle Beach, a unique 18-hole qualifier that secured him a sponsor’s exemption into the 2025 ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic. The Roebuck, S.C., native will make his PGA Tour debut this week, May 8-11, at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club, marking a dream come true for the 22-year-old All-American in his home state.
Franks, ranked No. 24 in the PGA TOUR University Rankings and 82nd in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, outshone a field of 16 players — eight aspiring professionals and eight golf content creators — in the innovative stroke-play event held Saturday, March 3, at TPC Myrtle Beach. Franks’ 3-under-par 69, highlighted by two chip-in eagles on par-5s, edged out pros Joe Hooks and Tyler Watts by one stroke, making him the only player to break 70.
The competition, pre-recorded and aired as a three-hour YouTube special on May 5, drew global attention, building on its 2024 debut’s million-plus views and the PGA Tour’s “Best In-Class Element” award.
The winning moment 🏆 pic.twitter.com/ESKQi5e2SO
— Play Golf Myrtle Beach (@PlayGolfMB) May 5, 2025
“To play in a PGA Tour event in my home state is a dream come true,” Franks said after his victory. “The Q was a truly unique event with cameras following our every move and playing against guys with millions of followers on social media. It was a little surreal, but I was able to maintain focus and get across the finish line.”
The event, presented by Play Golf Myrtle Beach and PGA TOUR Studios, featured notable creators like Kyle Berkshire and Sean Walsh, who tied for fifth at even par, alongside pros like former Gamecock George Bryan IV, who tied for eighth at 2-over.
Franks’ path to this moment has been marked by resilience. In March 2024, he fractured his elbow in a team bus accident returning from the Schenkel Invitational, where he claimed victory. Despite the setback, he earned All-American Honorable Mention honors and led South Carolina with a T13 at the SEC Championship. His 2024 wins at the Puerto Rico Classic and Schenkel Invitational underscored his talent, but The Q’s high-pressure stage — complete with camera crews and a diverse field — tested his mental toughness.
The ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic, an opposite-field event against the Truist Championship, offers Franks a chance to compete for a $4 million purse, 300 FedExCup points, and a PGA Championship berth. The Dunes’ tight fairways and small greens will challenge his precision, but his recent form suggests he’s ready. “Nathan’s ability to perform under pressure at The Q shows he’s got the game to compete at this level,” said South Carolina coach Bill McDonald.
As Franks prepares to tee off alongside defending champion Chris Gotterup and PGA Tour winners like Tom Kim and Brandt Snedeker, he’ll carry the weight of representing South Carolina. After his Myrtle Beach debut, he’ll jet to the NCAA Bremerton Regional, balancing pro dreams with collegiate duties. For now, the Palmetto State’s rising star is ready to seize his moment on golf’s biggest stage.
