The American Express champion Nick Dunlap has a big decision to make – to turn pro or not to turn pro.
The first amateur to win on the PGA Tour since Phil Mickelson in 1991 is exempt on the PGA Tour through the 2026 season, so technically there’s no rush. But if he turns pro, he’s also exempt into the remaining seven signature events this season, several of which are limited field, no-cut events with purses of at least $20 million. It’s a no-brainer for the Alabama sophomore, right?
But when asked during his winner’s press conference if he would be accepting PGA Tour membership, Dunlap hesitated and the more he spoke about it the more conflicted he seemed.
“I have no idea,” he said. “I really don’t.”
Dunlap’s life has changed no matter what he decides and he’s gained admission to a new world.
“Starting the week, if you would have said, hey, in five days you’re going to have a PGA Tour card or an opportunity for two years, I would have looked at you sideways,” Dunlap said.
I don’t think he was being modest. And his next statement was telling. He noted that his decision has huge ramifications not just for him.
“It affects a lot of people, (Alabama) coach (Jay Seawell) back there and my teammates, and it’s a conversation I need to have with a lot of people before I make that decision,” he said.
Congrats on the unbelievable victory today! @NickDunlap62 It’s pretty hard for me not to watch the NFL playoffs today, but I was glued to watching the American Express Championship today. One of three in the last 65 years! Love it!!
— Scott Verplank (@scottverplank) January 22, 2024
Later, he would express a desire to be ranked No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings and to win a ring with his Alabama teammates. Having already won the U.S. Junior Amateur and U.S. Amateur in 2023, he’s in Rose Zhang territory where there’s really nothing more for him to achieve in the amateur game. Plus, Dunlap also has dreamed of winning on the Tour for most of his life.
“As a kid, you kind of whack it around all over the putting green and every putt’s for a chance to win, whether that’s a PGA Tour event, the Masters, the U.S. Open. And to have that putt, I took a little bit longer than I normally might, and just take in the moment and nothing’s for granted. I may not ever have that chance again, and I just want to embrace it,” he said. “You know, like I said, it may not ever happen again.”
There is, of course, a wild card to be considered in all of this. There’s no doubt that LIV Golf will circle with a lucrative offer that will make him think twice about whether he wants to try to win a ring or have a bank account with Saudi-funded generational wealth.
During a virtual press conference I asked Dunlap if he or his representatives have been contacted by LIV, and if so, does he have any interest in competing in the league?
“As of right now I have no idea, I really don’t,” he said.
He shared that he is represented by GSE and agent Kevin Canning, who Dunlap said worked a deal for Jason Kokrak to go to LIV. GSE also represents Bryson DeChambeau and numerous of their clientele jumped to LIV for big bucks.
“But as far as me, I’ve always grown up dreaming of playing on the PGA Tour, and making a putt just like a little bit ago, to win a PGA Tour event. That was always my dream, to do that. I’ve always tried to chase something that nobody else has done. That’s why I always put in the work that I do, I want to do something special, and something memorable, not only for me, but maybe to leave something behind for somebody else to try to follow and gauge at,” Dunlap explained. “For me, that’s Tiger, right. Like I probably won’t ever even be close to some of the records he set, but I always try to set myself, you know, I’m trying to chase him. I know that’s an extremely high bar, and I don’t know if that comes off really cocky or not, but for me that’s something, I consider him the greatest ever, and for me to try to chase that, and even to be in somewhat of a conversation with him is, like I had said, it’s a dream come true, and it’s why I do what I do.”
Not that I expected him to come out and proclaim he had a contract back in his hotel room that his lawyer was reviewing, but that sounds like a pretty hard no.
There was one more telling comment that may indicate whether he’s planning to stay in college as Phil Mickelson did after he won as an amateur in 1991.
“You got any homework to do tonight?” he was asked.
“Yes,” he said. “Probably won’t do it though.”
Spoken like a college kid with pro aspirations.
