Amateur Nick Dunlap Follows Phil Mickelson Into PGA Tour History
The PGA Tour season is just three weeks old but there may not be a more stunning win in 2024 than what transpired Sunday in La Quinta, Calif.
Nick Dunlap, a 20-year-old sophomore at the University of Alabama, won the American Express by a shot over Christiaan Bezuidenhout to become the first amateur winner on Tour since Phil Mickelson in 1991.
What a scene.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 22, 2024
What a moment.
Nick Dunlap celebrates his victory with family and friends.@PGATOURU | @TheAmExGolf pic.twitter.com/dHtsaojlH7
Dunlap, the reigning U.S. Amateur champion, made history on Saturday by shooting 60—only Patrick Cantlay had done that as an amateur in a Tour event. That round gave him a three-shot lead going into Sunday, and a final-round 70 on Pete Dye's Stadium Course at PGA West—capped with a nervy six-foot par putt on the 72nd hole—was enough to seal the win.
"I learned so much today, and I'm so grateful to be here," Dunlap said. "The support out here, it's been so cool, and to see some of the people root for me was really special.
Dunlap was in the field at the American Express on a sponsor exemption, and though he receives no money for winning as an amateur, he's now exempt on the PGA Tour for two years should he choose to turn professional. And he can play in this year's Masters no matter what: he had a spot by virtue of his U.S. Amateur win, he'd lose that by turning pro but would have a place in the field as a PGA Tour event winner.
Andy Abeyta/USA TODAY Network
Mickelson was a 20-year-old junior at Arizona State when he won in 1991.
These are the amateur winners on the PGA Tour since 1945:
- Cary Middlecoff: North and South Open (1945)
- Fred Haas: Memphis Invitational (1945)
- Frank Stranahan: Durham War Bond Tournament (1945), Kansas City Invitational Victory Bond Tournament, Fort Worth Invitational (1946), Miami Open (1948)
- Gene Littler: San Diego Open (1954)
- Doug Sanders: Canadian Open (1956)
- Scott Verplank: Western Open (1985)
- Phil Mickelson: Northern Telecom Open (1991)
- Nick Dunlap: The American Express (2024)