Sports
Tide Sophomore Nick Dunlap Becomes First Amateur To Win PGA Tour Event Since 1991
Crimson Tide sophomore Nick Dunlap became the first amateur since 1991 to win a PGA Tour event with his victory at The American Express.
TUSCALOOSA, AL — Folks are celebrating back in Tuscaloosa after University of Alabama sophomore golfer Nick Dunlap became the first amateur to win a PGA Tour event since Arizona State golfer Phil Mickelson in 1991.
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At 20 years old, the Huntsville native and second-team PING All-American in 2023 also becomes the youngest amateur to win a tour event since 1910 with his victory at The American Express in La Quinta, California on Sunday.
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Dunlap's mantra for the final round was "Pressure is a privilege," and he sure lived up to the occasion.
Dunlap, who was grouped with former Crimson Tide golfer Justin Thomas, finished -29 for the tournament and, due to his amateur status, will see the prize money roll down to the next golfer.
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This does, however, open up some life-changing options for the young golfer.
With the win, Dunlap will get the typical exemption of a PGA Tour winner, which would include membership on the tour through the 2026 PGA Tour Season, in addition to exemptions into all 2024 Signature Events if he turns pro before those events — the Masters and PGA Championship.
As Patch reported last August, Dunlap joined Tiger Woods as one of only two golfers in the history of the sport to win both the United States Golf Association's U.S. Junior Amateur and the Amateur Championship with his win in the 36-hole final at Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado.
The PGA Tour says Dunlap currently has exemptions into the Masters, U.S. Open and The Open Championship as the winner of 2023 U.S. Amateur.
Additionally, Dunlap's exemptions into the Masters and The Open are contingent on him remaining amateur, but after winning The American Express, he can choose to be exempt into the Masters and PGA Championship as a PGA TOUR winner.
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