With a voice just as buttery as his signature forehand, Nate Sexton has forged a unique path to the top of the disc golf world. Besides being one of the best players the sport has ever seen, his signature combination of strategic knowledge and dry wit make Sexton the perfect viewer’s guide through a round of disc golf. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are eight revealing facts about the surefire Hall of Fame disc golfer from Oregon: Nate Sexton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nowadays, every pro has at least a decent forehand, but this was not always the case. When Sexton was first coming up, his forehand-heavy game was somewhat of an anomaly. He and his commentary partner Jeremy Koling are responsible for popularizing the sidearm form at the highest level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every once in a while on coverage, these two will reminisce about the good old days when their sidearm proficiency was a massive advantage over the rest of the field. In any case, these two are on the shortlist of the greatest forehand throwers of all time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reliable and overstable Firebird has been a staple of the Innova lineup for over 20 years. When the Sexton-designed version of the Firebird was introduced in 2015, it took the disc golf world by storm. Slightly less stable and more workable, Nate’s version of the Firebird is more beginner and intermediate-friendly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the backing of the famous Sexton and a particularly sweet stamp, the “Sexy Bird” quickly became one of the bestselling signature discs of all time. Early runs sell for huge cash on the secondary market, while brand-new runs sell out almost instantaneously. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While he is a successful and decorated pro by any measure, it took a while before Sexton broke through and won a major title. He finally got the proverbial monkey off his back at the 2017 United States Disc Golf Championships, where he took the lead in round 2 and cruised to a comfortable five-stroke victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was only a matter of time before Sexton took this one down. The Winthrop Gold course in Rock Hill, South Carolina, is well known for favoring forehand shots, and its copious amounts of out-of-bounds lines reward intelligent and consistent play. He finished 5th there in 2022 and is always a solid bet to win the USDCG.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sexton has the longest active streak, finishing above the cash line, with an astonishing 265 consecutive events in the money (the top 40% of the field). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Early in 2022, this streak was put in jeopardy in the third round of the Las Vegas Challenge, where he was in danger of missing the cut on the back nine. Nate clutched up and birdied the final four holes to make it to Sunday, eventually earning a modest $450. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He last finished outside the cash line back in 2008 at the Sumptown New Year’s Classic<\/a>, a one-day C-Tier that should barely even count (first place won only $52). Before that, you must go back to 2006 to find the next time the freakishly consistent Sexton walked away from a tournament empty-handed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2005, Sexton attended the Amateur World Championships to support his then-girlfriend and now-wife on her way to a Junior Girls title. Among the players on her card, one round was a 15-year-old Paul McBeth playing in his first big PDGA event. McBeth states in numerous interviews that Sexton was the first pro he ever met.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By 2014, McBeth dominated the pro scene<\/a> and invited Sexton to tour with him. Nate jumped at the chance to travel in an RV with the best player in the world. This invitation ultimately became a career-making opportunity for him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not only would traveling with McBeth improve his game, but it also raised Sexton’s profile in the sport. This same year Paul joined Nate for his\u00a0commentary debut<\/a>\u00a0on the upstart Jomez Productions, a media relationship that lasts to this day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They also taught instructional clinics across the country. Check out a younger Nate and Paul giving one of these clinics in this excellent video:<\/p>\n\n\n\nHe Toured with Paul McBeth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n