Nick Dunlap Wins First PGA Tour Event, Turns Pro

By Joe McDonald

RIGA Senior Writer

The smile told the entire story.

After Nick Dunlap was introduced as the 2024 American Express PGA Tour winner, his expression was priceless. Dunlap, 20, became the first amateur golfer to win on the PGA Tour since Phil Mickelson won in 1991. It’s been an incredible calendar year for Dunlap, a sophomore at Alabama. After an impressive 2023 season, he starts 2024 with his first PGA Tour victory. 

“I don’t ever want to forget today,” he told reporters after shooting 29-under for the tournament at La Quinta Country Club in California. 

Due to his amateur status, Dunlap did not earn prize money, but he earned his PGA Tour membership through the 2026 season. Since he’s also the reigning U.S. Amateur champion, he’s earned exemptions into all 2024 signature events, including the Masters and PGA Championship. 

Dunlap is the reigning Northeast Amateur champion after winning the tournament last June at Wannamoisett Country Club.

He followed that with a victory at the North & South Amateur Championship at Pinehurst, N.C. He also joined Tiger Woods as the second golfer in history to win both the U.S. Junior Amateur and the U.S. Amateur titles. 

Dunlap also helped Team USA win both the Walker Cup and President’s Cup during the summer. Since he’s accomplished everything on the amateur circuit, he decided to turn pro and will make his debut this week at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. 

After his first PGA Tour win, he also told reporters: “It may not happen again.” 

Even though it was a humble answer, Nick Dunlap has the ability, demeanor and opportunity to win a lot more on the PGA Tour. This is only the beginning for the reigning Northeast Amateur champion.