Nick Dunlap became the first amateur to win a PGA Tour event since Phil Mickelson in 1991 at last week’s American Express, and earn the plaudits of two-time winner Jon Rahm.
Jon Rahm has taking to social media to sing the praises of 20-year-old star Nick Dunlap, after he became the first amateur in 33 years to win a PGA Tour event at the American Express.
Dunlap wrote himself into golf’s history books, fending off the likes of Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele to win the event in California on Sunday. In doing so he became the first player since LIV Golf stalwart Phil Mickelson to win a Tour event as an amateur, after he landed his first win in 1991.
Several of the biggest names in golf, including Mickelson’s fellow LIV player Rahm, who has predicted the youngster to become a future star, naturally praised Dunlap after his victory.
He wrote on X: “What an amazing accomplishment by @NickDunlap62, stellar play and way to pull through under pressure to join a very selective group of players to win PGA tour events as an amateur! Great future ahead of this great talent! Congratulations.”
Rahm was the man who had won the American Express title a year before Dunlap’s famous win, but was unable to defend his crown this time around after being banned by the PGA Tour due to his LIV Golf loyalties. In Rahm’s absence it was of course all about Dunlap, who held his nerve with gutsy final round performance.
Dunlap was two shots behind the lead with five holes remaining in the final round, despite having a three-shot lead going into it. He then tied the lead after making birdies at the 14th and 16th holes, but close competitor Sam Burns bogeyed the 17th.
At the 72nd hole, Dunlap knew he needed a par to win, and he made it with a six-foot putt on the last green. The 20-year-old had been composed and cool throughout the week, but after he was formally declared the winner of the PGA Tour, he let loose some of his feelings.
Discussing exactly how it felt post-round, he said: “[It was] nothing like I had ever felt. It’s so cool. I told Sam [Burns] numerous times, like, it is so cool to be out here and experience this as an amateur. Whether I had made that or missed that, if you would have told me that, you know, come Wednesday night I would have a putt to win this golf tournament, I wouldn’t believe you.”
“As a kid, you kind of whack it around all over the putting green and every putt’s for a chance to win, whether that’s a PGA Tour event, the Masters, or the U.S. Open,” he continued, reflecting on the crucial putt at the age of 18. I also took a little longer than usual to make that putt because I wanted to enjoy the moment and not take anything for granted. I just want to seize the opportunity since I might not get it again. As I mentioned earlier, you never know when it might occur again.”