“So the last will be first………” Matthew 20:16
Perhaps the story of the season on the PGA Tour began last Monday in Detroit when a little-known player named Nate Lashley tried to Monday qualify for the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
Lashley didn’t play well enough to get a spot.
Undeterred, he waited all day Tuesday, then again on Wednesday.
Wednesday afternoon, fate inserted itself into Lashley’s life — in a good way. David Berganio Jr., a name that has been mentioned in years, withdrew from the tournament. Next name on the list — Nate Lashley. With Berganio out, Lashley was the last man in.
Lashley, a 36-year-old journeyman who has been dwelling in the tour’s version of no-man’s land — the dreaded 126-150 spots on the money/FedEx points list — got the break he was waiting for.
On Thursday, the former Arizona golfer went out and scorched the Detroit Golf Club with a nine-under par 63.
When you lead a PGA Tour event and your name is not familiar — story lines unfold.
The story was told of a cruel twist of fate in Lashley’s life tale. It was the story from 15 years ago when his parents and then girlfriend flew to Oregon to watch him compete in the 2004 NCAA West Regional. On the way back to Nebraska, the single engine plane piloted by Nate’s father, crashed in Wyoming, killing his parents and girlfriend.
He finished his senior year at Arizona then decided to try and play golf for a living. There was no fast success story there. It was a tough haul for Lashley, one that saw him so down that when he turned 30, he stepped away for a short time, then gave it another go. Mini-tours, the Latino-America Tour then the Web.com was his frustration-laden path. An 11th place finish on the Web.com money list in 2017 got him to the PGA Tour in 2018. Nothing to write about save a knee injury.
Nate managed one top 10 until that fateful withdrawal by Berganio.
He followed up his opening 63 with 67 and was the 36-hole leader. Many wondered if his tent would fold on moving day. It didn’t. Another 63 got him to an eye-opening six-shot lead going into the final round. Would he possibly hold up with no PGA Tour experience to speak of.
The former high school basketball star answered the doubters quickly. A birdie at the first then another at the third sent a strong message to the rest of the field. A couple of sloppy bogeys put him even at the turn but his lead held up. That lead, in fact, was as high as eight shots at one point but stayed at that six number most of the testy afternoon. Lowest it went to was five.
He was steady-Eddie at the turn. Three straight pars then a birdie sent him toward the winner’s circle. Another birdie at the par five 17th pretty much clinched it. Six shot leads on the 18th tee are what dreams are made of.
And this story, in its entirety, was something from a dream.
“Trying to stay calm, stay patient and hopefully play some good golf,” was Lashley’s plan as he spoke briefly before he headed out to warm up.
He was calm, patient and after rounds of 63-67-63, his closing 70 was plenty good enough to change Nate’s life in a big way. Twenty-five under par, a six-shot win and a spot in the Open Championship in three weeks then The Players, The Masters and The PGA next year.
“It’s a great feeling. I’m thankful I got into the golf tournament,” said Lashley, his voice cracking with emotion after his sister Brooke and new girlfriend Ashley were there waiting for him as he walked off that 72nd green. “It’s huge, you win and get all this confidence going. It’s a great feeling, I couldn’t be more happy right now.”
The Detroit crowds knew about Lashley’s back-story and they cheered wildly for him all day.
“They were amazing for me today,” Lashley nodded.
And even more amazing was this story of a son of small-town America, who overcame so much, saw fate smile on him and he came through when he had to and wrote the kind of ending you love to hear about.
“He played like a champion,” said Sir Nick Faldo.
Yes he did.
