Frankie Capan III: The Golfer Behind the 1967 Quarter

Frankie Capan III is a professional golfer from Minnesota who now competes on the PGA TOUR. He turned pro in 2022, and within a few years he built a name for himself through inventive shot-making rather than a textbook swing. If you searched for him after his season opener, chances are you landed here because of one event: The Bahamas Golf Classic, where his 2026 campaign began. Below is a complete look at his background, his college years, his stats, and how his season has unfolded so far.

Frankie Capan III Biography

AttributeDetails
Full NameFrankie Capan III
Age26
BirthdateNovember 9, 1999
BirthplaceStillwater, Minnesota
ResidenceDallas, Texas
Plays FromNorth Oaks, Minnesota
NationalityUnited States
Height6’0″ (1.83m)
Weight190 lbs (86 kg)
Turned Pro2022
CollegeUniversity of Alabama, Florida Gulf Coast University
PGA TOUR Wins0
Career Earnings$1,208,045
2026 Season Earnings$20,506 (through Puerto Rico Open)
FedExCup Standing211th
World Rank (OWGR)412
Signature Ball Marker1967 US quarter
SponsorsCallaway Golf, TravisMathew

Who Is Frankie Capan III?

Frankie Capan III is a golfer on his own. He does not adhere to one particular shape of stock shot. He would bend the ball to the left on one hole and to the right the next, depending on the circumstance. When caddies begin to talk to you about the style of one of the tour pros, they will likely refer to Bubba Watson, with whom they have been working over the years.

What is peculiar to him, however, of itself, is only his short game. With any fan in the game who is an enthusiast of statistics, he or she will mention his Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green figures that are consistently in and around the leaderboard. The majority of fans do not even know that that capability has impacted more rounds saved alone.

Key traits that define his game:

  • His game was characterised by the following features:
  • The ability to bend the shots in both directions and not to use one stock ball flight.
  • Good green-text scrambling ability.
  • A fame of preposterous recovery shots in trouble.

Where Frankie Capan III Grew Up

Frankie Capan III was born November 9, 1999, Stillwater, Minnesota. He initially remembers the game when he was two years old, when he played balls with his father at Troy Burne Golf Club in nearby Hudson, Wisconsin.

His adolescence was split between incidents in two forms of climate, which were absolutely opposite. Summers continued to spend his summer time in Minnesota, although the school year shifted the family to Arizona, where he eventually graduated Northwest Christian School in Phoenix.

Early Life Snapshot

DetailInformation
BirthplaceStillwater, Minnesota
First golf memoryAge 2, putting with his father in Hudson, Wisconsin
High schoolNorthwest Christian School, Phoenix, Arizona
Summers spent inMinnesota
School years spent inArizona
Notable youth roleStandard bearer at the 2012 WM Phoenix Open

His Father and the Story Behind the Ball Marker

His father, Frank Capan Jr., shaped much of his early love for the sport. Frank Jr. was born in 1967, and that number stuck with Frankie for good reason. He now uses a 1967 US quarter as his ball marker on the green, always placing it tails up, a nod to the old saying that “tails never fails.”

Outside of golf, Frank Jr. built something of his own. Along with longtime business partner Mike Roth, he helped pioneer outdoor ATM machines during the 1990s. Their company, Access Cash International, eventually operated close to 8,500 machines across the U.S. and Canada before the two sold the business in 2001.

Quick facts about the ball marker tradition:

  • Coin used: 1967 US quarter
  • Reason: honors his father’s birth year
  • Placement: always tails side up
  • Superstition behind it: “tails never fails”

His Mother, Sister, and Grandfather

His mother, Chari Capan, earned her own reputation in golf circles. She caddied for Frankie during his 2023 Korn Ferry Tour rookie year and carried his bag at both the 2023 and 2024 U.S. Opens.

He grew up with an older sister, Spenser Capan, who competed in high school athletics in Minnesota. His grandfather, Frank Capan Sr., was a respected amateur athlete and a well-known name in Twin Cities business circles.

Family Overview 

Family MemberRelationNotable Role
Frank Capan Jr.FatherInspired the 1967 quarter ball marker, co-founded Access Cash International
Chari CapanMotherCaddied for him at 2023 and 2024 U.S. Opens
Spenser CapanSisterCompeted in high school sports in Minnesota
Frank Capan Sr.GrandfatherAmateur athlete and Twin Cities businessman

College Golf: Alabama and Florida Gulf Coast

Before going pro, Frankie Capan III spent four years playing college golf across two different programs.

University of Alabama (2018 to 2020)

He started his college career with the Crimson Tide, playing his freshman and sophomore seasons at Alabama. During that stretch, the team captured the 2019 Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate title.

Florida Gulf Coast University (2020 to 2022)

He transferred to Florida Gulf Coast for his final two seasons. He won one individual title there and finished third in program history for career scoring average at 72.35. He also earned All-Atlantic Sun Conference Second Team honors in both 2021 and 2022, and by the time he graduated with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, he had set the school’s single-season scoring average record at 70.15.

College Career Comparison Table

ProgramYearsHighlights
University of Alabama2018-2020Won 2019 Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate as a team
Florida Gulf Coast University2020-2022One individual win, 3rd all-time scoring average (72.35), All-Atlantic Sun Second Team (2021, 2022), single-season scoring record (70.15)

Standout Amateur Achievements

Long before turning pro, Frankie Capan III racked up an amateur resume worth noting:

  • Won the 2017 U.S. Amateur Four Ball Championship at Pinehurst No. 2 at just 17 years old, partnered with Shuai Ming Wong
  • Captured the 2020 Minnesota Golf Association Amateur Championship by two strokes at Edina Country Club
  • Advanced to the quarterfinals at the 2019 Western Amateur
  • Qualified for match play at both the 2020 and 2022 U.S. Amateur Championships
  • Made match play at the U.S. Junior Amateur three times, in 2014, 2016, and 2017
  • Won the 2016 AJGA Puerto Rico Junior Open, which earned him a start at the Puerto Rico Open as a 16-year-old amateur
  • Led Team USA to victory at the 2017 Toyota Junior World Cup in Japan
  • Claimed back-to-back Arizona state high school titles in 2017 and 2018, including a second-round 59 during his 2018 win

Amateur Career Timeline

YearAchievement
2014Qualified for match play, U.S. Junior Amateur
2016Won AJGA Puerto Rico Junior Open; qualified for match play, U.S. Junior Amateur
2016Made PGA TOUR debut at Puerto Rico Open as a 16-year-old amateur
2017Won U.S. Amateur Four Ball Championship; won Toyota Junior World Cup; qualified for match play, U.S. Junior Amateur; won first Arizona state title
2018Won second straight Arizona state title with a second-round 59
2019Reached quarterfinals of Western Amateur
2020Won Minnesota Golf Association Amateur Championship; qualified for match play, U.S. Amateur
2022Qualified for match play, U.S. Amateur

Turning Pro and Breaking Through on the Korn Ferry Tour

Frankie Capan III officially turned pro in 2022 and spent the following seasons grinding through the Korn Ferry Tour. His breakout moment came in 2024, when he won the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship. That win helped him finish third on the Korn Ferry points list, which sent him straight to the PGA TOUR.

His rookie season on tour turned out to be his best financially, bringing in $1,108,327. Still, he finished 127th in the final 2025 standings, just two spots outside the top 125 needed to lock in full status. That narrow miss pushed him into conditional starts and alternative qualifying routes heading into 2026.

Path to the PGA TOUR at a glance:

  • 2022: Turned professional
  • 2023: Korn Ferry Tour rookie season, caddied by his mother
  • 2024: Won Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship, finished 3rd on Korn Ferry points list, earned PGA TOUR card
  • 2025: PGA TOUR rookie season, $1,108,327 earned, finished 127th in FedExCup standings
  • 2026: Playing on conditional status through alternative qualifying routes

Frankie Capan III

The Bahamas Golf Classic: How His 2026 Season Began

Frankie Capan III opened his 2026 season at The Bahamas Golf Classic, held at Atlantis Paradise Island from January 11 through January 14. The tournament took place on the Ocean Club Golf Course, a demanding layout on Paradise Island.

He came out firing in round one, carding a 6-under-par 66 that put him well inside the early leaderboard picture. Round two told a different story. He shot 1-over-par 73, and his momentum from the opening round disappeared almost as quickly as it arrived.

Bahamas Golf Classic Scorecard

RoundScoreNotes
Round 166 (-6)Fast start, near the top of the leaderboard
Round 273 (+1)Missed the cut line by one stroke
Total139 (-5)Finished tied for 88th

Bahamas Golf Classic Key Details

  • Tournament: The Bahamas Golf Classic at Atlantis Paradise Island
  • Dates: January 11-14, 2026
  • Course: Ocean Club Golf Course, Paradise Island, Bahamas
  • Final result: Missed cut, finished T88
  • Cut line: 6-under-par (unusually low due to strong scoring across the field)
  • Margin: Missed the weekend by one stroke

Scoring across the field ran unusually low that week, which pushed the cut line down to 6-under. That left Frankie Capan III on the wrong side by a single shot at The Bahamas Golf Classic, closing out the week tied for 88th. It was a rough way to kick off the year, but it set the stage for a season built on fighting through conditional status rather than chasing headlines.

2026 Season Results So Far

Following The Bahamas Golf Classic, Frankie Capan III worked through a stretch of missed cuts mixed with a couple of respectable finishes.

DateTournamentResultRoundsTotal
Jan 11-14The Bahamas Golf ClassicT8866-73139 (-5)
Jan 25The American ExpressCUT71-66-72209 (-7)
Feb 1Farmers Insurance OpenCUT75-76151 (+7)
Mar 1Cognizant ClassicCUT75-77152 (+10)
Mar 8Puerto Rico OpenT5069-72-74-68283 (-5)
Apr 5Valero Texas OpenCUT74-76150 (+6)
Apr 26Zurich Classic of New OrleansCUT67-78145 (+1)

His strongest showing of the year so far came at the Puerto Rico Open, where a T50 finish earned him $10,253. As things stand, he ranks 211th in the FedExCup standings, a number that reflects a season spent scrapping for status more than chasing trophies.

Season snapshot:

  • Events played: 6
  • Cuts made: 1
  • Best finish: T50, Puerto Rico Open
  • Total 2026 earnings: $20,506
  • Current FedExCup rank: 211th

How Much Has Frankie Capan III Earned?

Career earnings for Frankie Capan III now sit at $1,208,045 on the PGA TOUR. His 2026 total stands at $20,506 so far, a steep drop from his rookie year in 2025, when he crossed seven figures with $1,108,327.

Public net worth numbers for developing tour players rarely get confirmed. Still, industry estimates place his figure somewhere between $1,000,000 and $1,500,000. Most of that comes directly from tournament checks, with additional support from his sponsorship deals with Callaway Golf and TravisMathew.

Earnings Breakdown 

CategoryAmount
Career PGA TOUR earnings$1,208,045
2025 season earnings (rookie year)$1,108,327
2026 season earnings (through Puerto Rico Open)$20,506
Estimated net worth$1,000,000 – $1,500,000
Primary sponsorsCallaway Golf, TravisMathew

What Makes His Golf Game Different

Frankie Capan III does not play it safe. Where most pros lean on one repeatable shot shape, he adjusts on the fly, curving shots in either direction depending on the trouble in front of him. That willingness to improvise has drawn comparisons to Bubba Watson from caddies who have seen plenty of players come through the tour.

His short game remains the real separator. He shows up near the top of Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green rankings more often than not, a stat that measures how well a player scrambles once the ball misses the green. That skill has saved more than a few rounds when his ball striking wandered offline.

Strengths at a glance:

  • Shot shaping: curves the ball both directions depending on the shot needed
  • Recovery play: known for imaginative escapes out of trouble
  • Short game: consistently ranks near the top in Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green
  • Style comparison: caddies and mentors liken his creativity to Bubba Watson

Life Off the Course

Away from tournament weeks, Frankie Capan III stands 6’0″ and weighs 190 lbs. He stays active with football, basketball, pickleball, ping pong, and disc golf. A lifelong Minnesota Vikings fan, his list of favorite athletes runs from Tom Brady and Kobe Bryant to Justin Jefferson and Tiger Woods.

He also gives back through HopeKids, a charity supporting children with life-threatening medical conditions. Basketball Hall of Famer Kevin McHale holds a special spot in his life too, someone he describes as being “like a great uncle.”

During high school, a hip injury sidelined him for six months. To stay close to golf during recovery, he took a job valeting cars at Silverleaf Golf Club in Phoenix, a job that had him parking cars for future major champions like Jon Rahm and Adam Hadwin, long before he ever teed it up alongside them as a professional.

Personal Life Snapshot

CategoryDetails
Height6’0″ (1.83m)
Weight190 lbs (86 kg)
Favorite sportsFootball, basketball, pickleball, ping pong, disc golf
Favorite NFL teamMinnesota Vikings
Favorite athletesBo Jackson, Adrian Peterson, Justin Jefferson, Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant, Tiger Woods, Kevin McHale
Charity involvementHopeKids
Notable mentor figureKevin McHale, described as “like a great uncle”
Notable friendArron Oberholser, served as ring bearer at his wedding
High school jobValet at Silverleaf Golf Club, Phoenix

Final Thoughts

Frankie Capan III has built a career on resilience and a short game that keeps him in contention even during rough stretches. His 2026 season opened with heartbreak at The Bahamas Golf Classic, where one stroke stood between him and the weekend. Since then, he has kept grinding through the PGA TOUR schedule, leaning on the same creativity and scrambling ability that carried him through his amateur and college years. With a Korn Ferry Tour win already on his résumé, Frankie Capan III remains a golfer worth watching as he chases his first PGA TOUR title.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you pronounce Frankie Capan III’s last name? 

It’s pronounced “SAY-pin.” The Croatian-rooted spelling often trips up broadcasters, who sometimes say “Kay-pen” instead.

What is his lowest competitive round of golf? 

He shot a 13-under-par 58 at the 2024 Veritex Bank Championship on the Korn Ferry Tour, breaking a course record previously held by Scottie Scheffler.

Did he keep his full PGA TOUR card for 2026? 

No. He finished 127th in the 2025 standings, just outside the top 125 cutoff, which put him into conditional status for 2026.

Where did he play college golf? 

He played two seasons at the University of Alabama before transferring to Florida Gulf Coast University to finish out his college career.

What happened at The Bahamas Golf Classic? 

He opened with a 66, followed it with a 73, and missed the cut by one stroke at The Bahamas Golf Classic in January 2026.

Why did he play ice hockey as a kid? 

He used hockey purely as cross-training during Minnesota winters, aiming to build core strength and improve his golf swing rotation rather than out of a love for the sport.

What’s the story behind his ball marker? 

He marks his ball with a 1967 US quarter to honor his father’s birth year, always placing it tails up for good luck.

What is his biggest career win? 

His only professional victory so far came at the 2024 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship on the Korn Ferry Tour.