Reviewed by: Audrey Johnson
Huntsville golfer achieves unique victory at PGA Tour event
Huntsville native and University of Alabama golfer Nick Dunlap etched his name into golfing lore over the weekend, becoming the first amateur in more than three decades to win a PGA Tour tournament.
The last golfer to achieve this was Phil Mickelson 33 years ago.
Huntsville golfer Nick Dunlap makes history
Dunlap’s victory at the American Express tournament this past weekend made him the first amateur in 33 years to win a PGA Tour tournament. The win also moved Dunlap from a World Golf Ranking of 4,129th to 68th, the biggest jump in World Golf Ranking history.
Because he is an amateur, Dunlap was unable to collect the $1.5 million prize for winning the tournament.
Golf legend Phil Mickelson, the last amateur to win a PGA Tour tournament (in 1991) had high praise for the Huntsville golfer Sunday after Dunlap’s victory.
“Such an impressive performance by Nick Dunlap. Congratulations on an incredible win. This is just the beginning!”
Phil Mickelson, former PGA Tour golfer
Dunlap’s achievements on the golf course have him in some very elite company. With his win in the US Amateur championship last year, Dunlap joined Tiger Woods as the only golfers to win that tournament as well the US Junior Amateur championship, which Dunlap won in 2021.
What’s next for Nick Dunlap?
Statement on behalf of Nick Dunlap pic.twitter.com/9VGwMbjWEi
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) January 22, 2024
This past weekend’s win qualifies Dunlap to turn professional at any point and join the 2024 PGA Tour with automatic membership through the 2026 season. However, that decision has yet to be announced by the Huntsville golfer. He did announce that he would not play in the upcoming Farmers Insurance Open.
“After a life changing last 24 hours, I’ve decided to withdraw from the Farmers Insurance Open. I plan to return home to Alabama to be with family, friends and teammates. Thank you to Farmers Insurance and American Express for giving me these opportunities.”
Nick Dunlap in a statement Monday
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