Four tough days for the new PGA Tour champion

American Nick Dunlap, 20 years old, just spent four days thinking when a golden opportunity for him to develop his golf career came with a historic achievement on the PGA Tour, at The American Express 2024.

"That decision seemed simple but was the hardest for me ever. Because it affected many people, especially the coach and the school golf team, not just me," Dunlap said, then cried on January 25 when announcing his decision to give up his amateur status to become a professional.

Nick Dunlap gets emotional after winning the American Express at La Quinta, California on January 21, 2024. Photo: AP

The change is intended to help him advance after becoming the first amateur golfer to win a PGA Tour event in 33 years, at The American Express on January 21. This is a surprising result as he was the only amateur on the initial list of 156 golfers. With that victory, Dunlap was given a full card by the organization that governs the top golf arena in America until the end of the 2026 season. This year alone, he has the right to compete in seven tournaments in the special group, in which finishing last in each tournament also receives at least $40,000.

However, to receive all those benefits, Dunlap must declare to play professionally. If he remains an amateur, he will continue to play as a key player on the University of Alabama golf team, but will only be allowed to compete in a maximum of 12 regular-season tournaments per PGA Tour season through 2026.

In fact, Dunlap could get his full card after the PGA Tour finishes its 2024 season. But that would significantly reduce his chances of developing his golf career.

Dunlap, who has a ticket to this week’s Farmers Insurance Open, has returned home to Alabama to discuss his future with his family and advisors.

During Dunlap's time in the game, the biggest stumbling block for him was the University of Alabama golf team, which he feared would upset them by announcing his departure in the middle of the All-American collegiate golf season. "It was hard to say, because people would be caught off guard by my changing verbs," Dunlap added of his concerns.

But then, the sophomore decided to go pro, thereby earning a full card on the PGA Tour. "It was a golden ticket and a dream of mine for a long time. Now that the opportunity has come, I have to take it." Dunlap said he will continue to hone his skills with the Alabama golf team for the next few months.

Dunlap will make his professional golf debut 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 loss of the wild card, 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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