Reigning US Amateur champion Nick Dunlap on Sunday became the first amateur since 1991 to win a PGA Tour title, winning a back-nine showdown to capture the American Express tournament, while Taiwan’s Kevin Yu tied for third place.
Dunlap, a 20-year-old sophomore at the University of Alabama, sank the winning par putt from just inside six feet at the 18th hole to fire a two-under-par 70 at the Pete Dye Stadium Course — one of three courses used this week.
“Most nervous I’ve ever been, by far,” Dunlap said. “Just tried to breathe, but also look up and enjoy it a little bit.”
Photo: AFP
Despite his one-stroke victory, Dunlap would not take home any money from the win. As an amateur, the American is ineligible for the winner’s prize of US$1.51 million, which goes to runner-up Christiaan Bezuidenhout of South Africa.
Dunlap finished on 29-under 259 to set a 72-hole record low winning score, breaking the mark of 28-under set by Patrick Reed in 2014.
“Nothing like I’ve ever felt,” Dunlap said. “It was so cool to be out here and experience this as an amateur. Whether I had made that or missed that [last putt], if you would have told me [on] Wednesday night I would have a putt to win this golf tournament, I wouldn’t believe you.”
Photo: AFP
Dunlap became the first amateur to win a US PGA Tour event since Phil Mickelson captured the 1991 Northern Telecom Open in Tucson, Arizona.
He also became the second-youngest PGA Tour winner in the past 90 years, trailing only Jordan Spieth’s victory at 19 at the 2013 John Deere Classic, and the youngest amateur winner since 1910.
Sharing third on 261 were Yu, who matched his career-low PGA round with a 63, shooting 10 birdies in the round, and Americans Xander Schauffele and Justin Thomas.
Additional reporting by staff writer, with AP
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