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PGA Tour: Getting to Know Rising Matthew NeSmith

By Tim Letcher

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 25: Matthew NeSmith reacts to his shot from the second tee during the third round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 25, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 25: Matthew NeSmith reacts to his shot from the second tee during the third round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on January 25, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images) /
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Matthew NeSmith is having a nice rookie season on the PGA Tour. Get to know the South Carolina native here.

Matthew NeSmith grew up in North Augusta, South Carolina and attended the Masters for more than 10 straight years. He’s hoping that one day, his talents can get him inside the ropes at Augusta National via an invitation to the prestigious tournament.

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NeSmith graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in sociology in 2016. After playing on the Mackenzie Tour, NeSmith advanced to the Korn Ferry Tour in 2019 and he made the most of his opportunity. NeSmith won the Albertsons Boise Open and ultimately finished atop the Korn Ferry Tour Finals, earning his PGA Tour card in the process.

In his first year on the big tour, NeSmith got off to a very slow start. He missed cuts in four of his first five events. However, he rebounded nicely by making his next eight cuts, including his first career top 10, which came in the Puerto Rico Open. NeSmith shot 66-67 on the weekend to rally for a tie for sixth place in the event.

Overall, NeSmith has now made nine cuts in 14 events, steadily making progress as each week passed. He now has five top 25 finishes in 2020 and has shown signs that he’s ready to break out.

After missing four of five cuts early, NeSmith could have let this season get away from him. Instead, he rallied and found his footing, and has now worked his way up to 64th place in the FedEx Cup standings.

While the remainder of the PGA Tour season is still in question, NeSmith finds himself in the middle of the FedEx Cup standings, once play resumes. This could be a big opportunity for the native South Carolinian, who could find himself in position to do some very big things, depending on how the tour season plays out.

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NeSmith didn’t let his early struggles on the PGA Tour get him down and he has now proven that he can compete with the best players in the game. At just 26 years old, the future is bright for NeSmith, and his experience in 2020 will only continue to benefit him as he moves forward.

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