Smith Earns PGA Tour Card at Q-School

WINTER GARDEN, Fla. - Former Duke standout Nathan Smith posted a 12-under 417 at PGA Tour Qualifying School to finish tied for 11th and earn his tour card for the 2011 PGA season.

"It still hasn't fully set in yet and I am sure the celebration will be short lived as I look forward to starting the year out strong but it is an extremely gratifying feeling at the moment," said Smith. "To see all of the hard work I have done and the perseverance I have had to chase this dream makes me feel very proud. I just hope that I can continue to improve and represent Duke University in the best way possible moving forward."

Smith, a two-time All-America at Duke, opened Q-School with a one-over 73 before rebounding with four straight rounds of under-par golf. He shot 66-67 in the middle two rounds of the six-round tournament to move into position to earn his card. Smith closed 70-72 to finish six shots back of medalist and longtime tour pro Billy Mayfair.

Smith, one of 29 players to earn their tour cards on Monday, finished 27th on the Nationwide money list in 2010. The top 25 players on the Nationwide Tour received their PGA Tour cards. The Santa Monica, Calif., native posted eight top 25 finishes, including three top 10s. Smith claimed medalist honors at the 2010 WNB Golf Classic for his first tour win.

"While this is a great accomplishment for me I still have a lot of work to do this offseason and I hope I can use this as a stepping stone," Smith added. "None of this would have been possible without the support of the people at Duke and the support group I have around me. I wish Coach Myers were around to see this but I know he is looking over me from heaven. I hope that this will help to inspire the people who come through the golf program at Duke and I am really looking forward to representing the University on the PGA Tour."

Smith Earns PGA Tour Card at Q-School

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