Nick Dunlap made PGA Tour history by winning the American Express in La Quinta, Calif., on Sunday, becoming the first amateur to win on tour in 33 years. . He trailed five-time Tour winner and Ryder Cup veteran Sam Burns on the back nine before clawing his way back. The final three holes were 29 under. Here’s what you need to know:
- Dunlap, 20, is a sophomore at Alabama. Dunlap became the first player since Phil Mickelson in 1991 to win on the PGA Tour before turning pro, and he will have two years left when he decides to leave college golf exemption to participate in the Tour’s major events. After winning the U.S. Amateur last year, he has qualified for all four majors in 2024.
- Dunlap and Burns were tied on the par-3 17th, but Dunlap placed his tee shot on the green, watched Burns find water and ended up with a double bogey.
- Dunlap shot a third-round 60 on Saturday to hold a three-shot lead over Burns and a four-shot lead over Justin Thomas entering Sunday, then shot a 70 on Sunday to win the tournament.
What happened
Dunlap held a three-shot lead heading into the par-4 seventh hole, which featured a forced tee shot. Unfortunately for the amateur, he found water on his first tee shot – he knew it immediately and dropped the club on his backswing. He had to fall, lay up, and make a 15-foot bogey, but he couldn’t intimidate the trophy. When Burns birdied the same hole, the tie was tied, leaving much of the rest of the top 10 feeling like they were back in the game. Burns birdied Nos. 10 and 11 to take the lead.
So for much of Sunday’s back nine, it seemed like Dunlap’s story would be that of a young player who has tremendous potential but falls slightly short of a certified star like Burns. But Dunlap’s father told Golf Channel in an on-course interview that his son might be good enough to regain the lead, and he’s right. After birdieing the par-5 16th hole, Dunlap shot 29 under par, tying with Burns. The two (Thomas could no longer keep up with the pace) rose to 17th place. Two holes of penalty shootout. It didn’t take long to find a winner.
Birdie on the 16th hole to tie the lead!
20-year-old amateur Nick Dunlap continues to impress.
@PGATOURU | @TheAmExGolf pic.twitter.com/7OZpzWhIUF— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 21, 2024
Burns, who played the final 24 holes bogey-free, missed the island green on the right side of the Pete Dye Stadium course and splashed into the water. He had to hit the ball first and then putt two more shots to stay two shots behind the leader. Dunlap, meanwhile, looked like a vet as he searched for the green and two-putted for par.
Burns then hit his tee shot on No. 18 into the water on the left side of the fairway to complete the double hole and finish tied for sixth.
Dunlap missed the fairway (as often happens on Sundays), but his approach shot was again top-notch, staying to the right and staying away from the water. His second shot landed him greenside, and his third rolled six feet short of the hole. He placed the putter in the cup, released it with his fist, and hugged his caddy, family and girlfriend.
Christian Beziidenhout shot a final-round 65 to finish second at 28 under.
What this means for Dunlap
The historical part is this: In addition to tying Mixon, Dunlap is the second-youngest winner on the PGA Tour since World War II (Jordan Spieth is first) and the first since Tiger in 1996. The first defending U.S. Amateur champion since Woods to win on the PGA Tour. Mixon, Spieth and Tiger? Pretty good company.
Nick Dunlap has a good chance of becoming the next amateur to win a tour event this weekend. This generation of Aberg, Surratt, Sargent, Dunlap and MW Lee is the youngest, most talented group of players I have ever seen and will be a force for decades.
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) January 20, 2024
Dunlap, now 20 years and 29 days old, doesn’t have to automatically turn pro to maintain his winning privilege — even though he has lost the $1.51 million designated for the American Express title in his amateur status.
Regardless of when Dunlap dropped (a) his name from the leaderboard, he was a very important figure, and he solidified his status as a rising star in professional golf this weekend. It’s one thing to shoot 64-65-60 in the first three days of competition with a tiny crowd behind you. On Sunday, he joins Burns and Thomas in the final group with all that needs to be done. Even when he missed a putt and saved par on the first 15 holes, he never seemed flustered, focusing on the confident technique he prioritized in round preparation.
“Hitting the water on No. 7 tested everything in me,” Dunlap told Golf Channel.
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(Top photo of Nick Dunlap: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
