What Next For Nick Dunlap After Historic PGA Tour Win At The American Express?

Before The American Express, the most recent amateur to win a PGA Tour event had been Phil Mickelson, whose one-shot victory over Tom Purtzer and Bob Tway at the 1991 Northern Telecom Open introduced him as one of the game’s biggest talents.

However, that particular record now belongs to Nick Dunlap following his sensational one-stroke win over South Africa's Christiaan Bezuidenhout at the 2024 American Express. Dunlap showed no fear in the face of the utmost pressure, despite having two of America's very best right beside (and in the end, behind) him in Sam Burns and Justin Thomas.

The rewrite appeared very likely after the third round as a result of a three-shot advantage opened up via a stunning 60 from Dunlap. With breathing room between him and Team USA Ryder Cup star Burns, there was a growing confidence that the 2023 US Amateur champion would get it done.

And although there were one or two hiccups on Sunday, Dunlap showed incredible nerve to recover from each and walk confidently over the line. The Roll Tide sophomore's winning moment arrived as he zipped home a six-foot putt on the last in front of his caddie, parents, girlfriend, and coach - as well as a whole host of other new fans.

The current US Amateur champion's demeanour was so assured, it would have been incredibly easy to forget that he is only just 20 years old. But with an amateur career as impressive as his, Dunlap's most recent success should surprise no one.

Yet, he is still just an amateur. Because of that, Dunlap's victory did not garner him any prize money or any FedEx Cup points, with the $1.512m earmarked for the winner instead going to South African Bezuidenhout - who himself put together a very tidy final round. And even if Dunlap turned pro immediately after his win, those FedEx points are gone forever, too, because - unlike the money - they don't trickle down.

WHAT NICK DUNLAP'S WIN AT THE AMERICAN EXPRESS MEANS FOR THE AMATEUR

The 20-year-old has gained significantly more than just prestige and a place in the record books after his maiden PGA Tour win. He has moved up an eye-widening 4,061 places in the OWGR to No.68 and is also able to take up PGA Tour membership at any point during the 2024 season, while retaining it through the 2026 season.

If that wouldn’t tempt Dunlap to turn pro and take up membership, though, eligibility in all of the remaining signature events for 2024, including The Masters and PGA Championship, and a place at The Sentry in 2025, would surely give him plenty to think about.

Nevertheless, that option does come with one or two drawbacks. Because of his US Amateur win, Dunlap had already secured his spots at The Masters, US Open and The Open. However, if he turns pro beforehand, he would relinquish his spots at the latter two Majors.

Another reason Dunlap may opt to retain his amateur status is that, even without turning pro, victory still guarantees him eligibility in a maximum of 12 full-field events over the remainder of the season in the tournament winners category.

Given those factors, there is still a possibility that Dunlap could opt to wait until the end of the season to take up PGA Tour membership. If he does, he’ll have 30 days following its conclusion to become a member for the 2025 season. If he doesn't, he'll then have to wait until the end of the 2025 season to become a member for 2026.

There is no doubt that the decision Dunlap faces falls into the “nice problem to have” category, with the biggest pulls of remaining an amateur likely to be those three guaranteed Major appearances and plenty more PGA Tour exposure this season. But would he really turn down the opportunity to make life-changing money at the lucrative signature events while still ensuring at least two Major starts?

His answer after victory on Sunday left the door wide open. Dunlap said: "I think it goes back to the new PGA Tour, whether it's the Accelerated program or the U program, that they have given a lot of opportunity to college players to stay in college.

"Obviously with the Accelerated program, you know, Gordon [Sargent] had just got it, and so that's a really cool opportunity. But I've had goals outside of that for a little while, one of them being No. 1 player in the world as an amateur, and I've always wanted to win a ring with Alabama.

"But no, everything kind of moving forward, and as far as me turning professional, that's something that it doesn't just affect me. It affects a lot of people, and that being my teammates and my coach, you know, they, obviously, probably didn't think that I would ever consider turning pro after this week. But, like I said, I need to talk to them and a lot of other people before I make any kind of decision like that."

Whichever way Dunlap is leaning, fans will need to wait a little longer to see him on the PGA Tour again. He had been in the field for the Farmers Insurance Open, but has now withdrawn from the event at Torrey Pines.