Nick Dunlap has turned professional and accepted full PGA Tour membership following his American Express win as an amateur last week.
Nick Dunlap has confirmed in an emotional interview that he is turning professional and accepting full membership on the PGA Tour following his incredible victory at The American Express last week.
Dunlap, a 20-year-old golfer from Alabama, declared on January 25th that he would depart from his college and transition into a professional career right away. In 1991, Phil Mickelson’s victory made him the last amateur to win on the PGA Tour until the recent triumph of the resident of Huntsville. In addition, he established a new record score of 29-under par for the tournament, thus becoming the youngest victor in the history of The American Express.
Dunlap holds the enviable record of being the only other golfer alongside Tiger Woods to have won the US Amateur, US Junior Amateur and a PGA Tour title.
Sadly due to his amateur status, Dunlap did not earn the first prize of $1.5m at The American Express.
He also did not receive any FedEx Cup points as a result of not being a PGA Tour member.
The money and points will not carry over either just because he has now turned pro and joined the PGA Tour.
As the reigning US Amateur champion, Dunlap had already locked up his playing rights at The Masters, US Open and The Open this season prior to The American Express win.
However, Dunlap now relinquishes his spot at The Open this July as a result of having turned pro.
He could still qualify for the final major of the season should he continue to establish himself on the PGA Tour, or come through Open Championship qualifying ahead of Royal Troon.
One positive of turning pro for Dunlap is that he now earns a place in the field at the US PGA Championship at Valhalla in May.
Many more doors will now open up for him on the PGA Tour.
Dunlap had already received an invite to compete in this week’s Farmers Insurance Open at famed Torrey Pines, but he chose to withdraw to consider his golf future.
He considered his options with his family and friends the past three days, and then came to the decision he would turn professional.
In a tearful interview at the University of Alabama, Dunlap said:
“It was the easiest-hardest decision I’ve ever had to make.”
Dunlap also revealed he will make his professional PGA Tour debut at next week’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Dunlap also revealed he will make his professional PGA Tour debut at next week’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Due to his successful debut in California, the American golfer will participate in all the remaining Signature Events of the PGA Tour this season. Earlier this week, Dunlap spoke about the rumors connecting him to a transfer to LIV Golf. However, he swiftly dispelled all doubts by affirming his loyalty to the PGA Tour.
Welcome to the big time, Nick Dunlap.