By: Justin Gincauskas
After becoming the first amateur to win a PGA Tour event since 1991, Nick Dunlap announced Thursday that he is turning pro and joining the tour as a member. The announcement came via a press conference at the campus of the University of Alabama.
Dunlap, a sophomore at Alabama, became the youngest amateur to win on the PGA Tour since 1910. The 20-year-old won The American Express on Jan. 21 by one stroke, finishing the tournament at 29 under par. By winning the tournament, Dunlap is exempt on the PGA Tour through 2026. He can also compete in the seven remaining Signature Events this season.
Dunlap On His Decision To Turn Pro
“It was the easiest, hardest decision that I’ve ever had to make,” Dunlap said Thursday. “I was very fortunate that everyone had the same opinion about it, and my teammates were awesome and very supportive. It goes back to the family that Alabama has; they were very supportive and wanted me to chase my dreams.”
Even with his decision to turn pro, Nick Dunlap will not get the $1.5 million first-place prize or the 500 FedExCup points for his PGA Tour win. Dunlap is eligible to receive prize money and FedExCup points moving forward.
“It’s a week today that the first round started, and a week ago, if you had told me that I had the opportunity to live out my dream as a 20-year-old — it’s pretty surreal,” said Dunlap. “But it’s also scary. There’s a lot of changes.”
One of the most challenging parts for Dunlap in deciding to turn pro was telling his Alabama teammates. The Alabama native plans to continue living in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and says he will never forget his time at the University of Alabama.
“There’s going to be a script A on my bag forever,” Dunlap said.
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