American Dunlap Becomes First Amateur Since 1991 To Win PGA Tour Event

Los Angeles, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Jan, 2024) Reigning US Amateur champion Nick Dunlap became the first amateur since 1991 to win a PGA Tour title, winning a back-nine showdown on Sunday to capture the American Express tournament.

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.

Despite his one-stroke victory, however, Dunlap will not take home any money from the win.

As an amateur, the American is ineligible for the winner's prize of $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.

"I felt this script today was already written," Dunlap said. "I was going to give it everything I had whether I shoot 75 or 65 or 70.

"I'm so happy to be standing here."

Dunlap became the first amateur to win a US PGA Tour event since Phil Mickelson captured the 1991 Northern Telecom Open in Tucson, Arizona.

Dunlap 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.

The historic victory didn't come without tension-packed drama.

Dunlap sank a 10-foot birdie putt at the par-5 16th to share the lead with 24th-ranked American Sam Burns, who found water off the tee at the par-3 17th on the day's toughest hole.

Dunlap made a routine par while Burns stumbled with a double bogey and the amateur led by two with the par-4 18th remaining.

But ahead of him on the 18th green, Bezuidenhout birdied to pull within one.

At 18, Dunlap's tee shot went way into the right rough and his approach stopped 75 feet from the hole down a slope.

"I thought I had a two-shot lead," Dunlap said. "I hit somebody, I'm sorry for whoever that was, got a great break and was able to give myself a good look."

Dunlap pitched his third to just inside six feet and then sank his par putt for the victory

"Nothing like I have ever felt," Dunlap said. "It's so cool to be out here and experience this as an amateur.

"Whether I had made that or missed that, if you would have told me Wednesday night I would have a putt to win this golf tournament, I wouldn't believe you."

Bezuidenhout finished on 260 after a closing 65 and praised Dunlap.