Nick Dunlap became the first amateur PGA Tour winner in 33 years, but had to miss out on the seven-figure prize.
The 20-year-old college student beat Christiaan Bezuidenhout at The American Express by one shot for one of the most remarkable results golf has seen
With the victory, Dunlap becomes the first amateur to win on the PGA Tour since Phil Mickelson in 1991, and he also takes the record as the first reigning U.S. Amateur champ to win on the Tour since Tiger Woods in 1996.
Ending up -29 under par at La Quinta Country Club in California, the Alabama native became the youngest winning amateur since 1910, and he burst into tears with his hands on his head after securing victory.
Dunlap’s parents were quickly on the green to celebrate with him, and his mother Charlene looked utterly delighted at her son’s rise to fame.
However, any hopes of an instant payday for the family were quickly dashed by a harsh rule.
in a long time.
As an amateur, Dunlap was ineligible for the £1.18million prize money, which instead went to runner-up Bezuidenhout.
The only amateur on a 156-player field, Dunlap also missed out on 500 FedEx Cup points, but there were some other perks.
The youngster has PGA Tour exemption through until 2026, and he will also have exemptions to the Masters and PGA Championship if he turns professional.
Speaking still red-faced and full of tears, Dunlap said: “Nothing like I’ve ever felt.
“It was 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.
“I probably had a thousand different scenarios in my head of how today was going to go, and it went nothing like I expected. I think that was the cool part about it. That’s golf.”
Mickelson, the last amateur to win on the PGA Tour was quick to send his congratulations, writing on social media: “Such an impressive performance by Nick Dunlap.
“Congratulations on an incredible win. This is just the beginning.”