How formidable is the amateur golfer who just won the PGA Tour?

Nick Dunlap - the newest cup winner at The American Express on the PGA Tour, has had many outstanding achievements since childhood, including a rare 59 strokes in 18 holes in golf.

When you shoot 59 for 18 holes, you score -13 on a par-72 course, -11 on a par-70 course. That result, converted into a birdie, would be 13 or 11 times like that. In the history of the PGA Tour, which is considered the pinnacle of professional golf, only 11 golfers have shot 59 in a round. But Dunlap hit this rare achievement since he was a child. As he grew older, Dunlap continued to show his talent. Six days ago, he won The American Express at the age of 20 and a sophomore, thereby becoming the first amateur golfer to win a PGA Tour tournament in 33 years.

Nick Dunlap watches his tee shot on the fourth hole of the final round of American Express at Pete Dye Golf Club in La Quinta, California, USA on January 21. Photo: AP

Dunlap's childhood home was located inside Greystone Golf Course in Birmingham, Alabama. From there, the 6th hole was only 100 yards away. Its fairway was often the place where Dunlap practiced his irons at night. He developed a passion for golf and a determination to reach the top, not because of his parents' pressure.

Dr. Bhrett McCabe, a sports psychologist who now advises Dunlap, was a Greystone club member. He remembers Dunlap riding his bike to the practice range every day at age 10, practicing until closing time. Jon Gibbons, former head golf instructor at Greystone, said he received complaints, mainly because Dunlap kept winning tournaments. "A lot of club members didn't want Nick playing. I had to tell him to stop playing," Gibbons said.

At age 12, Dunlap shot 59 at a local tournament, winning the championship by 13 strokes.

During Dunlap's development, Greystone was the ideal setting. This place is the "home" of more than 12 PGA Tour golfers, the battlefield of the veteran major tournament, and the headquarters of the Mark Blackburn golf academy that trained many stars today such as Collin Morikawa and Max Homa. In such an environment, Dunlap soon learned experience as well as a standard playing style. Dunlap even earned money from betting matches with his seniors and uncles who entered the top golf arena in the US, according to pgatour.com .

Among the supporting factors when Dunlap was just starting to develop his golf skills, Jeff Curl was considered a "protector". Curl used to play on the Korn Ferry Tour - the second-tier system of the PGA Tour, but had a wide network of acquaintances. Curl trained Dunlap in swing techniques to diversify the ball trajectory, tactics, tour experience and even weekly matches with the PGA Tour community.

Curl himself assigned Dunlap to caddie many times when he played the Korn Ferry Tour so that his then 15-year-old student could gain real-world experience. One time, the teacher and student had just finished a round in the heat of nearly 38 degrees Celsius. After finishing the job, Curl was exhausted, but Dunlap still had energy and continued to run more than 3 km to the gym.

In 2021, Dunlap began to record his first notable achievement, when he won the US Junior Amateur, which is considered the prestigious tournament for high-achieving young golfers in the US. Last year, he won the US Amateur championship, which has long been known as a major amateur golf championship. In the history of American golf, only Tiger Woods and Dunlap have won both the junior amateur and adult open championships hosted by the United States Golf Association (USGA).

Dunlap lifts the 2021 US Junior Amateur championship trophy. Photo: USGA Museum — Dunlap lifts the 2021 US Junior Amateur championship trophy. Photo: *USGA Museum*

On January 21, Dunlap made a splash on the PGA Tour at The American Express. He was the only amateur on the field, playing for a sponsor, but finished with a 29-under par. This was also the record for the final score since the event was reduced to four stroke play rounds from five from its inception in 1960 to 2012.

Four days after that historic achievement, Dunlap announced that he was turning pro. "It seemed like a simple decision, but it was the hardest decision I've ever made. Because it affected a lot of people, especially the coach and the whole school golf team, not just me," Dunlap said, then cried as he announced his change of status.

During Dunlap's consideration, the University of Alabama golf team was the biggest obstacle for him, because Dunlap was afraid of upsetting them by announcing his departure in the middle of the All-American College Golf season. "It's hard to say because people will be passive about my change," Dunlap added of his concerns. But after those concerns, Dunlap decided to go pro because only then would he be able to enjoy the full benefits of a full PGA Tour berth through 2026, when he becomes the owner of The American Express Cup in 2024.

"It's the golden ticket and my dream for so long. Now that I have the opportunity, I have to take it."

Dunlap will start his tour player career as a full member of the PGA Tour at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California from February 1 to 4. This tournament is a special event in the 2024 PGA Tour calendar. As for the four majors this year, Dunlap will be able to enter the Masters in April, the PGA Championship in May, and the US Open in June. For the remaining major - The Open in July, he will have to find a ticket to compete through the World Professional Golf Ranking (OWGR) because his decision to become a pro resulted in the cancellation of the wild card performance, which he earned by winning the 2023 US Amateur Cup.

Dunlap is ranked 68th in the OWGR this week, up 4,061 places from last week. This is the highest position increase in OWGR history since its debut year of 1986, which occurred when Dunlap won The American Express 2024.

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