Nick Dunlap became the first amateur to win the PGA Tour in 33 years by posing for a photo for The American Express on Sunday in La Quinta, California.
Dunlap, a 20-year-old University of Alabama sophomore, played flawless backcourt en route to a 2-under 70. He finished at 29 under par, one shot behind Christian Bezuidenhout (65).
“I've never felt anything like this before,” Dunlap said. “It was great to be here and experience this as an amateur.”
Fellow Bama product Justin Thomas (68), who played alongside Dunlap and Sam Burns in the final group, tied for third with Xander Scheufele (65) and Kevin Yeo (63).
Dunlap and Burns were tied for the lead at 29 under entering the par-3 17thy at Pete Dye Stadium. First to putt, Dunlap found it safely on the green, 34 feet from the hole. During the final play of the three, Burns hit his shot directly into the water hazard.
Burns, a five-time Tour winner, made a double bogey to drop to 27 under, while Dunlap birdied two to hold a one-shot advantage on the final hole, with Bezuidenhout in the clubhouse at minus 28.
Except Dunlap thought he was being led by two. He could not see the scoreboard until he approached the 18th green, and was unaware of Bezuidenhout's position.
On the 435-yard final hole, Dunlap hit his putt into the right corner, his ball lying on the side of the hill. Meanwhile, Burns found water off the tee again eliminating any chance he had at a potential playoff. He made another double to finish T-6 and four back.
After hitting his second shot to the right of the green and getting a fortuitous putt into Greenside Valley, Dunlap chipped in 6 feet. He calmly rolled into the even putt and let out a “Come on!” yell.
Dunlap, who shot a 60 in the third round to gain a three-shot advantage on Sunday, became it Eighth different amateur to win on the PGA Tour And the first since Phil Mickelson at the 1991 Northern Telecom Open. Dunlap has added this trophy to an impressive collection that includes the 2023 U.S. Amateur Championship.
Although as an amateur, he was unable to collect the $1,512,000 first-place check (or 500 FedExCup points because he is not a member of the Tour), Dunlap was granted an exemption from the Tour through the 2026 PGA Tour season. He can play in events The full field for the rest of the year – regardless of his status – but he will need to turn professional and accept Tour membership in order to compete in the featured events.
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