20-year-old amateur Nick Dunlap makes history with win at American Express
20-year-old U.S. Amateur champion Nick Dunlap made history Sunday at the American Express.
Dunlap became the first amateur to win on the PGA TOUR since 1991 (Phil Mickelson) and the second-youngest winner in the past 90 years.
The Alabama sophomore finished with a 2-under 70 to finish at 29-under 259 and break the tournament scoring record as a 72-hole event.
He is also the youngest winner in the event's history, and he became the youngest amateur to win on the tour since 1910.
Despite the win, Dunlap will earn no prize money or points.
As an amateur, Dunlap is not eligible to earn any prize money or FedExCup points, regardless if he turns pro immediately following the event.
The solo second place finisher gets the winner's prize money. The third-place finisher earns the amount of money designated for second place, etc.
Where it gets complicated is with his status of a professional/amateur.
If he wins, Dunlap is eligible to take up PGA TOUR membership at anytime during the 2024 season. He would get the normal exemption of a PGA TOUR winner.
- Membership on the PGA TOUR for two years (through the 2026 season)
- Exemptions into all 2024 Signature Events (provided he turns pro before those events), the Masters and PGA Championship
Given his U.S. Amateur win, Dunlap currently has exemptions into the Masters, U.S. Open and The Open.
His exemptions into the Masters and The Open are contingent on him remaining amateur but if he were to win The American Express and turn pro, he would be exempt into the Masters and PGA Championship as a PGA TOUR winner. The U.S. Open allows the U.S. Amateur champion to play in its tournament as a professional.
Raw footage, raw emotion. Congrats to @NickDunlap62, 2024 American Express champion.@KESQ @Qassignmentdesk @Tarp1969 @AlabamaMGolf @theamexgolf @PGAWESTGOLF @PGATOUR @SSN_Alabama @rollbamaroll @RollTide @BAMA_ROLL_TIDE #RTR #RollTide pic.twitter.com/HvC4T1UDRO
— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) January 22, 2024
