Nick Dunlap is the primary American Categorical occasion winner on the PGA Tour to most likely depart residence with out an American Categorical card.
The 20-year-old College of Alabama sophomore is an newbie golfer, so he couldn't settle for the $1.5 million prize awarded to the winner of the event as soon as often called the Bob Hope Desert Basic that has completed Sunday in La Quinta.
The victory was historic. Dunlap, the U.S. newbie champion, is the primary newbie to win a PGA Tour occasion since Phil Mickelson gained the Northern Telecom Open in 1991. He’s additionally the second-youngest participant to win a Tour occasion within the 'final 90 years (Dunlap is 20 years, 29 days; Jordan Spieth gained the 2013 John Deere Basic at 19 years, 352 days).
However the massive examine goes to runner-up Christiaan Bezuidenhout, who completed one shot behind Dunlap's 29-under-par 259. Dunlap can also be 500 FedExCup factors quick, which might put him within the operating for a wholesome chunk of the $70 million. bonus pool distributed on the finish of the yr.
After the win, Dunlap mentioned he's unsure if he'll be part of the Tour now or return to Tuscaloosa. He’s clearly a star within the making, the one golfer moreover Tiger Woods to win each the US Beginner and the US Junior Beginner.
“I'm going to take a second to let what occurred sink in a bit bit,” he mentioned after celebrating together with his mother and father and girlfriend. “It's a choice that's not only for me. It impacts lots of people, and clearly I'll attempt to get pleasure from it.”
Though Dunlap stays in class, the win will give him an exemption into the PGA Championship. He had already earned exemptions within the Masters, US Open and Open Championship because the winner of the American Amateurs.
Turning professional now often causes an newbie to lose exemptions in these majors, however as a result of he now has a PGA Tour victory on his resume, he would obtain exemptions as effectively.
All of which supplies Dunlap a lot to think about when deciding whether or not to trouble doing the chores he introduced with him to the West Coast — staying in California for an additional week to play at Torrey Pines with a sponsor's exemption.
“At first of the week, if you happen to had mentioned, 'Hey, in 5 days you might have a PGA Tour card, or a possibility for 2 years,' I might have checked out you sideways,” he mentioned. “However [the decision to turn pro] it's one thing that doesn't simply have an effect on me. It impacts lots of people — my coach right here and my teammates — and it's a dialog I want lots of people to have.”
No matter whether or not he sticks with the Tide or Tour, Dunlap appears to be the subsequent massive factor in golf and needs to be good for American Categorical Platinum standing quickly sufficient.
