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Nick Dunlap makes history as the first amateur to win a PGA Tour event in 33 years
Nick Dunlap, a 20-year-old sophomore from the University of Alabama, achieved a historic feat at The American Express on Sunday. He became the first amateur to secure a victory on the PGA Tour since Phil Mickelson accomplished the same 33 years ago. With a final-round score of 70 and an impressive overall score of 29-under, Dunlap not only maintained his lead but also overcame challenges to clinch the win in La Quinta, California.
Starting the day with a three-stroke advantage, thanks to a remarkable third-round score of 60 – the lowest by an amateur in a PGA Tour event since Patrick Cantlay achieved the same in 2001 – Dunlap faced a setback with a double-bogey on the seventh hole. Despite this, he refocused and showed resilience for the remainder of the round. Taking advantage of leader Sam Burns’ misstep with a tee shot into the water at the 17th, Dunlap seized the opportunity to claim a two-shot lead heading into the 18th hole.
On the 18th hole, Dunlap’s tee shot veered to the right and ended up in the gallery. Burns, who had led the tournament for 70 holes, unfortunately, made a second consecutive errant tee shot, effectively removing himself from contention. Meanwhile, Christiaan Bezuidenhout sank a lengthy birdie putt, bringing his total to 28-under and creating the possibility of a playoff if Dunlap couldn’t secure a par.
Despite facing an uphill lie from the rough, Dunlap’s approach also drifted right but fortuitously rolled down to the fringe of the green. This positioned him for an up-and-down opportunity to win outright and avoid a playoff. With a graceful approach shot onto the green, he set himself up for a nerve-wracking 5-foot, 9-inch putt for the victory. Displaying confidence, he successfully sank the putt, erupting in celebration before the ball even dropped.
Reflecting on the moment, Dunlap expressed his excitement, stating, “It’s so cool.” He acknowledged telling Sam (Burns) how incredible it was to experience the event as an amateur. Regardless of the outcome of the putt, Dunlap emphasized that the experience of having a chance to win the tournament as an amateur was beyond belief when considering his expectations just days earlier. As he left the green, he embraced his family and college coach, tears of joy in his eyes.
Dunlap’s triumph brings a welcome positive note to the current state of Alabama athletics. Recently retired head coach of the Alabama football team, Nick Saban, who surprisingly stepped down earlier this month, made a call to the Golf Channel broadcast while Dunlap was on the course. Saban commended the sophomore for his composure and skillful putting during the round.
Additionally, Phil Mickelson also expressed admiration for Dunlap:
Mickelson wasn’t the lone professional to commend Dunlap. Jon Rahm, known for his own proficiency in handling high-pressure putts, shared his thoughts:
Bezuidenhout secured a solo second-place finish, earning the $1.5 million prize that, as an amateur, Dunlap couldn’t claim. Kevin Yu, Xander Schauffele, and Alabama alum Justin Thomas shared the third position, each finishing at 27-under.
Dunlap’s achievement as the first reigning U.S. Amateur winner to triumph on the Tour since Tiger Woods in 1996 comes with notable benefits. Should he decide to turn professional, Dunlap will gain entries to prestigious events like the Masters, the PGA Championship, and the Players Championship. Most importantly, his victory grants him a two-year exemption onto the PGA Tour. Dunlap faces a significant decision regarding his future in professional golf.
