Amateur Golfer Nick Dunlap Aims for Historic Win at The American Express

U.S. Amateur champion Nick Dunlap is making waves at The American Express tournament, as he aims to achieve a historic win in the world of golf. This 20-year-old amateur player from Alabama could potentially become the first amateur to win on the PGA TOUR in 30 years, and the second-youngest winner in the past 90 years.

Dunlap’s impressive performance has caught the attention of many, as he currently holds a three-shot lead going into the final round at PGA West. It’s worth noting that his competitors are all seasoned professionals, making his lead even more remarkable. Although Dunlap hasn’t had much success on the PGA Tour in his previous three starts, he is undoubtedly a name to watch in the future of tournament golf.

Should Dunlap secure the win at the American Express, he will break a 33-year drought without an amateur winner on the PGA TOUR since Phil Mickelson accomplished the feat in 1991. This puts Dunlap in esteemed company alongside Mickelson, a six-time major winner.

Dunlap’s third-round score of 60 not only solidified his place as one of two amateurs to shoot that number on the PGA Tour, but it also puts him in the same category as the legendary Tiger Woods. In addition to his recent success, Dunlap also won the U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Junior Amateur titles, a feat previously achieved only by Woods.

The road hasn’t always been smooth for Dunlap, as he faced a setback during last year’s U.S. Amateur. After starting poorly in the stroke-play qualifying rounds, Dunlap found himself five over par through seven holes. However, with the help of his mentor and former professional golfer Jeff Curl, Dunlap was able to turn things around and ultimately secure a place in the match play rounds.

Once in the match play rounds, Dunlap’s talent truly shone. He enjoyed an impressive 30-2 record in his last 32 matches over two years, leading to his decisive victory over Neal Shipley to claim the Havermeyer trophy. Although he faced a couple of losses during the Walker Cup, he made up for it with a win against Luke Poulter at the SEC Match Play.

Dunlap’s incredible golfing abilities have also been showcased in his previous tournaments, with notable highlights including a 59 during the second round of the Hamptons Intercollegiate and a 59 at Highland Golf Club in Birmingham, all while he was still in the seventh grade.

Dunlap draws parallels between his game and that of Dustin Johnson, highlighting similarities in their long game and driving. He believes his putting has improved significantly in recent years, particularly during his freshman year at the University of Alabama.

As a member of the Alabama Crimson Tide golf team, Dunlap has had the opportunity to interact with former Alabama football coach Nick Saban. Saban’s competitive edge and constant drive to improve have left a lasting impression on Dunlap, who even had a two-and-a-half-hour conversation with Saban before heading to the American Express tournament.

During the tournament, Dunlap is paired with fellow Alabama alum Justin Thomas, as well as Sam Burns. While Dunlap won’t be able to claim the prize money or FedExCup points if he emerges victorious, he will secure membership for the next two seasons on the PGA TOUR. He also has the option to defer his membership, and consequently his decision to turn professional, until 30 days after the conclusion of the 2024 PGA TOUR season.

Regardless of whether Dunlap decides to turn pro after the American Express, he has already left an indelible mark on the golfing world with his impressive performance. Golf enthusiasts eagerly await the final round to see if Dunlap can make history and win as an amateur on the PGA TOUR.