Franks and South Carolina begin play in the NCAA Championship on Friday May 23rd. You can follow scores at https://scoreboard.clippd.com/tournaments/236552/scoring/team

By Stan Olenik, Editor-Publisher, The Golf Club

The Wildest Week of Nathan Franks’ Life

Nathan Franks didn’t just have a big week — he had the week.

In the span of seven days, the University of South Carolina senior graduated from college, made the cut in his first-ever PGA Tour event, flew across the country, and helped his college team punch their ticket to the NCAA Golf Championship.

It was part Big Break, part Amazing Race, and a little bit Survivor — all rolled into one.

It All Started with a Secret

The whirlwind began back in March, when Franks competed in The Q at Myrtle Beach, an 18-hole, made-for-TV tournament pairing aspiring pros with golf influencers. The prize? A spot in the ONEFLIGHT Myrtle Beach Classic — an official PGA Tour event.

Franks won by a single shot.

But there was a catch: he couldn’t tell anyone.

“We were sworn to secrecy,” Franks said. “Everyone kept asking me how I did, and I couldn’t say anything. That was tough.”

When the embargo lifted days before the Myrtle Beach Classic, Franks was finally able to share the news — and prepare for his PGA Tour debut.

From Cap and Gown to the Big Stage

The timing couldn’t have been tighter. The Myrtle Beach Classic landed the same weekend as Franks’ graduation from USC. He missed the ceremony — but not entirely.

Tournament officials, along with the mayor of Myrtle Beach, surprised him with a cap-and-gown ceremony at The Dunes Golf and Beach Club. His family was there. It wasn’t what he expected, but it meant everything.

“It totally caught me off guard,” Franks said. “It was really special.”

Then came the golf. Franks, who had played The Dunes Club before, opened with a 4-under 67 — despite an opening tee shot that went 40 yards left.

“I was nervous,” he admitted. “But I made birdie on my fourth hole, and that helped me settle down.”

He followed it up with a 1-under 70 to make the cut — and suddenly, Franks was a weekend PGA Tour player.

Scrambling to the NCAA Regional

While most players were thinking about their Sunday finish, Franks was also thinking about Bremerton, Washington — over 2,500 miles away, where his Gamecocks were teeing off in NCAA Regionals the very next day.

His coach, Rob Bradley, had made two flight reservations: one if Franks missed the cut, another if he made it.

Franks played the weekend, posting a pair of even-par rounds to finish tied for 37th at 5-under — an impressive debut. As soon as he signed his card, he was in a car to the airport.

“I walked off the green around 3:30 and was through TSA by 4:10,” he said.

He caught a flight to Seattle via Dallas, grabbed a couple hours of sleep on the plane, and was met by assistant coach Brady Gregor, who drove him to Bremerton. Franks checked into the team hotel around 4 a.m. Eastern time.

Still Not Done

After six days of elite-level competition, Franks could’ve been forgiven for feeling exhausted. But he showed up strong — posting rounds of 74, 71, and 71 to help South Carolina contend for a spot in the NCAA Finals.

“We knew we had a shot,” he said. “I didn’t want to let the guys down.”

It came down to the final hole. Utah’s last player had a chance to tie with an eagle but missed. That sealed it: the Gamecocks were going to the NCAA Finals for the first time since 2019.

Finally, Franks could take a breath.

What’s Next?

When Franks wraps up his week at the NCAA Championship in La Costa, California, he’ll compete in the second stage of U.S. Open qualifying. If he makes it, it could be his first tournament as a professional.

“I’ve had a great college career,” Franks said. “And I can’t think of a better way for it to end than at the national championship.”

From Myrtle Beach to Bremerton, from cap and gown to PGA Tour rounds — Nathan Franks had a week he will never forget.