Indian Wells, CA – In a historic moment for amateur golf, a 20-year-old golfer from the University of Alabama has become a PGA Tour champion. Nick Dunlap emerged as the victor at The American Express tour, finishing the 72-hole tournament with an impressive 29-under par 259, edging out Christiaan Bezuidenhout by a single stroke. This remarkable accomplishment makes Dunlap the first amateur to win a PGA Tour event since Phil Mickelson in 1991.
However, despite his triumph, Dunlap will not be able to claim any prize money. According to the rules of amateur status, he is ineligible to receive the $1,512,000 prize. Instead, it will be awarded to Bezuidenhout, the tournament’s runner-up. This decision was confirmed by a spokesperson for the PGA Tour, who emphasized that the prize would be allocated as if Dunlap had never been in the field.
Following his victory, Dunlap was seen in an emotional embrace with his family and friends, savoring the significance of his win. Reflecting on his achievement, Dunlap remarked, “I went over a scenario for today probably a million times and it’s never going to go how you planned, and it didn’t. I’m so happy to be standing here.”
Comparisons have been drawn between Dunlap and golfing legend Tiger Woods. Like Woods, Dunlap has achieved an extraordinary feat by winning both the U.S. Junior Amateur and U.S. Amateur titles. Moreover, he is the first reigning U.S. Amateur champion to secure a victory on the PGA Tour since Woods in 1996. At just 20 years and 29 days old, Dunlap also becomes the youngest amateur to triumph on the PGA Tour since Chick Evans at the 1910 Western Open.
Dunlap’s success as an amateur has added another layer of excitement to the golfing world. Expressing his delight at participating in such a momentous event, he stated, “It is so cool to be out here and experience this as an amateur. If you would have told me that, you know, come Wednesday night I’d have the putts to win this golf tournament, I wouldn’t believe you.” With his exceptional talent and historic triumph, Dunlap’s name will undoubtedly be remembered in the annals of golfing history.