sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
First amateur to win on PGA Tour for 33 years won't receive a penny of his seven-figure prize money

Home> Golf

Published 13:06 22 Jan 2024 GMT

First amateur to win on PGA Tour for 33 years won't receive a penny of his seven-figure prize money

This hasn't been achieved since 1991.

Daniel Marland

Daniel Marland

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

A 20-year-old student has become the first amateur to win on the PGA Tour since 1991 - but he won't receive the competition's seven-figure prize sum.

Nick Dunlap won The American Express title in La Quinta, California, on Sunday after a one-shot win over Christiaan Bezuidenhout.

Dunlap, who brought his homework with him to complete between rounds, is the youngest amateur winner on the PGA Tour since 1910.

He's in esteemed company. Dunlap is the youngest amateur winner since three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson 33 years ago.

Advert

When asked about his future immediately after the win, the University of Alabama student told reporters: "I have no idea, I really don't. It's really cool to have that opportunity in the first place.

"Starting the week, if you would have said, 'hey, in five days you're going to have a PGA Tour card…' I would have looked at you sideways.

"But that's something that it doesn't just affect me.

"It affects a lot of people - coach back there, and my teammates - and it's a conversation I need to have with a lot of people before I make that decision."

Dunlap posing with the trophy alongside his parents. (Image
Getty)

Winners of the American Express title usually get to take home the cool sum of $1.5 million (£1.2 million), but Dunlap won't receive any of that due to his amateur status.

Per the United States Golf Association (USGA), Rule 3.1 - 'Playing for Prize Money', states: "An amateur golfer cannot play for money in a golf match, exhibition or other competition such as a tournament.

"The USGA enforces the rule to maintain a clear distinction between amateur golfers and professionals. The USGA offers one exception to the rule:

"Amateurs can keep prize money for winning a hole-in-one contest during the course of a tournament. But the amateur cannot accept money for winning the tournament overall."

Dunlap can now apply for his tour card. (Image
Getty)

156 players took part in the early season 'West Coast Swing' and Dunlap was the only amateur involved.

He admitted he was the most nervous he's been in his young career. Dunlap added: "Just tried to breathe, but also look up and enjoy it a little bit.

"I probably had a thousand different scenarios in my head of how today was going to go, and it went nothing like I expected. I think that was the cool part about it. That's golf."

Featured Image Credit: PGA/Twitter & Getty Images

Topics: Golf

Daniel Marland
Daniel Marland

Daniel is SPORTbible's Senior Social Editor.

X

@DanMarland_

Recommended reads

Ranking the top 10 best golfers of all time as Nicklaus v Woods GOAT debate settledGetty ImagesDavid Munyua and Peter Wachiuri interview: 'We wish for major PDC players to come and visit Kenya'Getty / Instagram/@wachiuridartsMark Selby lifts lid on backstage talks over Crucible as landmark agreement reachedGettyBarry Hearn sends message to Ronnie O'Sullivan over snooker future as Crucible prediction madeGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

2 mins ago
an hour ago
17 hours ago
  • Golf Channel
    2 mins ago

    Scottie Scheffler issues apology to Masters reporter after mocking ‘terrible’ question

    Scheffler shot a seven-under-par round of 65 to move into contention on day three.

    Golf
  • The Masters
    an hour ago

    Disgraced Masters champion left 'ironic note' in Rory McIlroy's locker at Augusta National

    McIlroy was taken aback by the note, which he described as 'ironic'.

    Golf
  • Getty Images
    17 hours ago

    Only one player has ever posted four rounds in the 60s at Masters and he didn't even win

    He became the first golfer in the 84-year history of the Masters to achieve the feat.

    Golf
  • David Cannon/Getty Images
    17 hours ago

    ESPN slammed for coverage of Rory McIlroy moment during The Masters

    The broadcaster made a major mistake during their coverage of McIlroy's round.

    Golf
  • Tommy Fleetwood faces losing over half of £7million prize money after winning Tour Championship
  • Golfer banned from PGA Tour makes new $1 million tour announcement
  • YouTuber Banned for Life After Incident During PGA Tour Event
  • PGA Tour pro admits he 'unintentionally cheated' after removing himself from tournament