Nick Dunlap, an amateur golfer and student at Alabama, is unable to receive $1.5 million from the PGA Tour.
The event was won by Dunlap with a final score of -29, which was one stroke better than the South African professional Christiaan Bezuidenhout in second place and two strokes over tour favorites Xander Schauffele or Justin Thomas.
Dunlap, who is a sophomore at the University of Alabama, experienced a momentous occasion there. Even some of his schoolwork was brought to California with him during his participation in this event.
It would have never occurred to anyone that an amateur could have defeated the experienced PGA Tour veterans to attendance and taken home the $1.5 million prize.
Nick Dunlap, age 20, emerged victorious at the inaugural American Express Tournament held at the PGA West golf course in California on Sunday, January 21, 2024.
Dunlap’s 29-under par total was one stroke higher than the second-place finisher, South African pro-Christiaan Bezuidenhout.
But despite defeating several professional golfers, his amateur status prevents him from taking home the $1,512,000 prize.
Bezuidenhout, who finished in second place, will be awarded the first-place prize instead. Pay will be calculated as if the three players that tied for third place had finished within a three-way tie to second place.
“I am so grateful to be here today because I’ve gained so much knowledge,” Dunlap said in an interview published by the golf tour’s page on X, formerly Twitter. “Seeing some individuals rooting for me was truly an experience to remember.”
Dunlap was the first amateur since a young Phil Mickelson captured the Tucson Open in 1991 to accomplish this in a PGA Tour event. Since 1910, Dunlap has been the youngest novice winner of a tour event.
It is highly probable that Nick Dunlap, the inaugural American Express event champion on the PGA Tour, departs from his victory without having an American Express card.
As an amateur golfer, the 20-year-old senior at the University of Alabama was ineligible to accept the $1.5 million prize designated for the victor of the Bob Hope Desert Classic tournament, which concluded on Sunday in La Quinta.
It was a historic victory. Dunlap, the current U.S. Amateur Champion, becomes the first amateur since Phil Mickelson took the Northern Telecom Open in 1991 to win a PGA Tour event.
However, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, who finished one stroke behind Dunlap’s 29-under-259, receives the substantial check.
Additionally, Dunlap failed to accumulate 500 FedExCup points, and this would have qualified him for a substantial portion of the $70 million bonus pool that is awarded after the calendar year.
“I just wanted to give myself a moment to fully comprehend what has just transpired,” he declared after his celebrations with his girlfriend and parents. “That is not a decision that only affects myself. “It affects a great number of individuals, and I will certainly do my best to enjoy this.”
Regardless of Dunlap’s academic pursuits, the triumph will grant him an exemption to compete in the PGA Championship. In addition to qualifying for the Masters, U.S. Open, and the Open Championship, he had already secured exemptions by winning the U.S. Amateur.
Additionally, Dunlap failed to accumulate 500 FedExCup points, and these would have qualified him for a substantial portion of the $70 million bonus pool that is awarded after the calendar year.
Dunlap acknowledged his uncertainty regarding whether to rejoin the Tour or return to Tuscaloosa following the victory. Poised for greatness, he is the only golfer to have won both the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Junior Amateur Championships, surpassing only Tiger Woods.
“I just wanted to give myself a moment to fully comprehend what has just transpired,” he declared after his celebrations with his girlfriend and parents. “That is not a decision that only affects myself. “It affects a great number of individuals, and I will certainly do my best to enjoy this.”
Regardless of Dunlap’s academic pursuits, the triumph will grant him an exemption to compete in the PGA Championship. As the U.S. Amateur champion, he had previously obtained three-year exemptions that granted him entry to the Masters, U.S. Open, and the Open Championship.
It is highly probable that Nick Dunlap, the inaugural American Express event champion on the PGA Tour, departs from his victory without a valid American Express card. However, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, who finished one stroke behind Dunlap’s 29-under-259, receives the substantial check.
As an amateur golfer, the 20-year-old sophomore at the University of Alabama was ineligible to accept the $1.5 million prize designated for the victor of the Bob Hope Desert Classic tournament, which concluded on Sunday in La Quinta.