Alabama Golf: Nick Dunlap wins PGA Tour 'American Express' as an amateur

Despite being just, a sophomore on the Alabama Golf team Nick Dunlap won the PGA Tour American Express Tournament as an amateur among a field of professionals. Dunlap becomes the first player to win on the tour as an amateur since Phil Mickelson in 1991 and the youngest winner on the tour since 1910.

The win was set up by an incredible third round where Dunlap shot a 60 going 12 under par joining only Patrick Cantlay as the only amateur to complete the feat. Heading into Sunday Dunlap would be paired with another Alabama Golf alumni Justin Thomas and Sam Burns with Thomas saying the following heading into Sunday:

"I told myself after yesterday that I wanted to get to under 30 this weekend. I didn't think I was going to deal with a frickin college kid shooting 60 today."

- Justin Thomas

Dunlap led Burns and Thomas by three strokes heading into Sunday but, the final day wasn't as smooth sailing as Saturday was. Throughout the day Burns and Dunlap battled with Dunlap surrendering the lead on the seventh hole after finding the water. After the seventh hole, Dunlap flipped the switch on the eighth hole with an excellent approach shot despite a tough lie.

During the round Dunlap got high praise from former Alabama Football coach Nick Saban:

There were struggles from the tenth through thirteenth holes with Sam Burns holding the lead but, Dunlap never let the tournament get away from him burying a massive putt on the 16th. The Seventeenth hole would turn the tournament with Sam Burns making a double bogey after finding the water giving Dunlap a two-shot lead heading to the 18th. Dunlap would finish the eighteenth making par making history for the Alabama golf star.

Dunlap's Alabama Golf teammates shared an incredible moment as they watched the moment from the team sprinter van.

It will hurt Dunlap that he's unable to take any of the prize money however, he's earned a PGA Tour card through the 2025 season with the ability to turn pro at any point.

Alabama Golf: What's next for Nick Dunlap?

The question now becomes what's the next step for Nick Dunlap? He can either return to the Alabama Golf program or turn pro immediately joining the Tour with a guaranteed spot for the next two seasons. He also holds the possibility of joining the tour next year after this year's Alabama Golf season. After winning the US Amateur and The American Express Dunlap's career is off to an impressive start one which may become even more impressive if he decides to turn professional at just 20 years old.

Note: Stats and info via PGAtour.com