Nick Dunlap became the first non-professional player to win a PGA tournament since Phil Mickelson in 1991. The young 20-year-old amateur - the youngest to win a tournament since 1910 - managed to win the American Express by beating the South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout. However, his status as an amateur prevents him from collecting the $1,512,000 assigned to the winner, which the second place will receive in full.
A historic day for Nick Dunlap 🏆@PGATOURU | @TheAmExGolf pic.twitter.com/btc4hWtqDW
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 22, 2024
Scoring record
Dunlap, the only amateur who participated in the tournament, signed a card with 29 strokes under par, one less than Bezuidenhout, who came to lead the event during the decisive day. Dunlap's final card also established a new scoring record in a 72-hole tournament, notes the PGA website.
Although he collected the trophy that accredits the champion of the event, the same does not happen with the more than 1.5 million dollars in prize money for the winner. The entire amount will go to the coffers of Bezuidenhout, while the three players who tied at 27 under par will be paid as if they had obtained a three-way tie for second place.
However, money did not seem to matter much to the young prodigy, who in a later interview stated: "Today I have learned a lot and I am very grateful of being here. Seeing some people cheering me on has been very special.” He also joked about how his caddy encouraged him before the decisive shot: "Your mother could make this putt."
An unforgettable day for @NickDunlap62 👏 pic.twitter.com/Gt2oKQbn36
— PGA TOUR University (@PGATOURU) January 22, 2024
