Nick Dunlap makes history, becomes first amateur to win on PGA Tour in 33 years

[weimy froob]

Nick Dunlap became the first amateur to win on the PGA Tour in 33 years by capturing The American Express on Sunday in La Quinta, California.

Dunlap, a 20-year-old sophomore at the University of Alabama, played a flawless back nine en route to a 2-under 70. He finished at 29 under par, one shot clear of Christiaan Bezuidenhout (65), and was able to celebrate with his mother, father, girlfriend and college coach — who all flew cross-country over the weekend to watch — on hand.

“Nothing like I’ve ever felt,” Dunlap said. “It was so cool to be out 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 Schauffele (65) and Kevin Yu (63).

Dunlap and Burns were tied for the lead at 29 under entering the par-3 17th on the Pete Dye Stadium Course. First to hit, Dunlap safely found the green, 34 feet from the hole. Playing last in the threesome, Burns hit his shot right, into the water hazard.

Burns, a five-time Tour winner, made double bogey to drop to 27 under, while Dunlap two-putted to carry a one-shot advantage into the final hole, with Bezuidenhout in the clubhouse at minus-28.

Except, Dunlap thought he led by two. Unable to view a scoreboard until he got near the 18th green, he was unaware of Bezuidenhout’s position.

At the 435-yard final hole, Dunlap hit his tee shot into the right rough, his ball nestling on the side of a mound. Burns, meanwhile, again found the water off the tee to doom any chance he had of a possible playoff. He made another double to finish T-6, four back.

After hitting his second shot right of the green and getting a fortuitous kick into the greenside valley, Dunlap chipped to 6 feet. He calmly rolled in the par putt and let out a “C’mon!” yell.

https://www.nbcsports.com/golf/news/nic ... n-33-years

[Hornets]

LOL...I was gonna make a post about this but figured nobody even cares about golf here.

[weimy froob]

the guy has a decision to make. if he goes pro he's exempt from qualifying for the tour thru the 2026 season. as an amateur he's qualified to play in the masters, u.s. open and the british this year. if he goes pro he'd lose that british open qualification--but he'd be eligible for the PGA. if he goes pro next year he'd still be exempt thru the 2026 season.

[weimy froob]

‘Hardest, easiest decision': Nick Dunlap’s dream come true, comes with a price

https://www.nbcsports.com/golf/news/har ... th-a-price

[Hornets]

Young Nick learns quickly that you gotta bring your "A" game every week to be a top PGA playah. Poops his pants in rounds 1 & 2 at Pebble Beach and thankfully for him there isn't a cut in this tourney so he gets to try and rebound this weekend...

[Hornets]

Young Nick learns quickly that you gotta bring your "A" game every week to be a top PGA playah. Poops his pants in rounds 1 & 2 at Pebble Beach and thankfully for him there isn't a cut in this tourney so he gets to try and rebound this weekend...

3rd round not any better for Nick. In last place after 3 rounds.

Wyndham Clark fires a SIXTY and has the lead...weather looks to be awful tomorrow so either they'll try to play Monday or might even declare the tournament over after 3 rounds.