Alabama’s Nick Dunlap first amateur PGA Tour winner since Phil Mickelson

Alabama golfer Nick Dunlap made history on Sunday afternoon in La Quinta, California, winning The American Express and becoming the first amateur to win on the PGA Tour since Phil Mickelson in 1991.

He also became the youngest amateur to win on the PGA Tour since 1910.

WOW! 🏆

20-year-old amateur Nick Dunlap is a PGA TOUR champion.

He's the youngest amateur to win since 1910. pic.twitter.com/DKQmK0fuAe

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 22, 2024

Dunlap finished at 29-under par after a final round of 70 was enough to hold off the rest of the field. He shot 64 and 65 in the first two rounds to make the cut followed by a ridiculous 60 on Saturday to carry a three stroke lead into the final day.

He defeated Christiaan Bezuidenhout by one stroke as well as fellow former Crimson Tide golfer Justin Thomas by two, who he was in the final group with alongside Sam Burns. Burns held a lead down the stretch before putting it in the water twice over the final two holes to finish at 25-under par.

What a scene.
What a moment.

Nick Dunlap celebrates his victory with family and friends.@PGATOURU | @TheAmExGolf pic.twitter.com/dHtsaojlH7

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 22, 2024

Dunlap’s teammate at Alabama, Canon Claycomb, who had been posting on social media about Dunlap all week, shared video from the team bus as Dunlap’s winning putt for par went in:

OH MY GOD HE DID IT. NICK DUNLAP I LOVE YOU. RMFT. 🐘❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/KF39rLloog

— Canon Claycomb (@canonclaycomb) January 22, 2024

With his win, Dunlap is now the 68th ranked golfer in the world despite his amateur status. He is also just the ninth amateur to win on the PGA Tour since 1940.

Dunlap, who is a sophomore at Alabama, had already previously earned a spot to the 2024 Masters, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship by becoming the second Alabama golfer in history to win the U.S. Amateur.