2026 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship
Nathan Khera
Oakville
,
Ontario
Age: 10 - 11
Gender: Boys
Region: Middle Atlantic
The Path to the National Finals
Qualifying Path
Should a player advance through local qualifying, the subregional and regional qualifying sites are pre-determined based upon the local qualifying site. The player is not guaranteed participation in the subregional qualifier unless he/she advances through local qualifying. The player is not guaranteed participation in the regional qualifier unless he/she advances through local and subregional qualifying.
PLAY GOLF RIGHT OR LEFT HANDED:
Right
AGE STARTED PLAYING GOLF:
3 years old
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
Lowest score 9 = 33; Lowest score 18 = 68
HANDICAP INDEX:
1.1
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
My dad practiced and played with me.
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
My dad
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
Travis Glass
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
I love competing against others and always trying to get better.
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
Staying focused after a difficult shot.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF CLUB?
5-iron
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
Augusta National (of course!) and Pinehurst
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
Making the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals. Finishing T-33 in the U.S. Kids World Championships in Pinehurst this year and I was the Top Canadian!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER JUNIORS PARTICIPATING IN DCP WHO ARE TRYING TO REACH THE NATIONAL FINALS?
Keep working hard and eventually you will get there.
DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN FIRST TEE?
Yes - I had my first tournament in Miami at Doral in December 2025.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT?
Meeting my competitors.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM YOUR LOCAL, SUBREGIONAL OR REGIONAL QUALIFIERS:
Making a 15-footer in this year's Regionals and getting to two feet with the 30-footer to win Regionals to punch my ticket to Augusta. I saw both of my parents crying and then they told me I had qualified for Augusta!
HAVE YOU TRIED TO QUALIFIY FOR DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT IN THE PAST? IF SO, PLEASE LIST EACH YEAR AND YOUR PREVIOUS RESULTS:
2023 - I didn't make it past Local; 2024 - I made it to the Regionals at Aronimink and finished ninth.
DID YOU WATCH LAST YEAR’S DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT NATIONAL FINALS ON TELEVISION? IF SO, WHAT IMPACT DID THAT HAVE ON YOUR PARTICIPATION THIS YEAR?
It really encouraged me to try to make it to Augusta.
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
Driving, Chipping, Putting
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF ACCESSORY (HAT, HEADCOVER, BALL MARKER, ETC.)?
Ball marker
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Rory McIlroy, he is a just nice person and he hits his drives so far just like I want to do!
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Nelly Korda, she has a very nice golf swing!
WHO IS THE COOLEST PLAYER IN GOLF, AND WHY?
Ludvig Åberg because he's calm under pressure, has a great swing and is a really nice person.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
Me, my dad, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS AS IT RELATES TO GOLF? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE:
How many do you want me to list?! Clothes, ball markers, hat, belt, shoes, breakfast food, the list goes on...
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?
Surf and turf (I love shrimp and a medium rare steak). French fries on the side of course. Vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce. Shirley Temples to drink.
DESCRIBE ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
Soccer and chess
DESCRIBE ANY OBSTACLES YOU’VE OVERCOME IN YOUR LIFE:
A left arm fracture from soccer in 2024.
HERO / ROLE MODEL(S):
My mom and dad, they work extremely hard and love me so much.
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
Never give up on your dreams.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Professional golfer. If I don't make that then a doctor like my parents.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF:
Extremely hard working. If I can't figure something out, I keep trying until I do.
