Nick Dunlap turns pro after becoming first amateur to win PGA Tour event in 33 years
University of Alabama golfer Nick Dunlap, after winning the American Express Tournament on Sunday to become the youngest amateur to win a PGA Tour event since 1910, announced he will turn pro at a news conference Thursday, and said he will make his pro debut at the AT&T Pro-Am.
The sophomore became the first amateur to win a PGA Tour tournament since Phil Mickelson in 1991. With a sponsorship exemption, he finished an incredible 29-under par to win by one stroke. He shot a 2-under par 70 in his final round Sunday.
"If you had told me that I had the opportunity to live out my dream as a 20-year-old, it’s pretty surreal," Dunlap said. "But it’s also scary. There’s a lot of changes and (Alabama) coach (Jay) Seawell has been gracious enough and I’m gonna continue to live here and hang out with the guys and, and at least live out some of my college life the rest of this year.
"It’s an incredible opportunity and you know, very grateful for it."
At 20, he's also the youngest amateur to win a PGA Tour event since 1910. However, as an amateur, he wasn't able to take the tournament's cash prize of $1.5 million. With the victory, the Huntsville, Alabama, native and former U.S. Amateur champion made the biggest jump in the history of the Official World Golf Rankings, soaring from 4,129th to 68th.
When Mickelson won the Northern Telecom Open in 1991 as an amateur, he opted to remain at Arizona State until graduating in 1992.
Retired Alabama football coach Nick Saban called into The Golf Channel during Dunlap's Sunday push.
Reach Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread at [email protected]. Follow on Twitter @chasegoodbread.