Nick Dunlap, the golden boy of world golf after his victory last week at the American Express, the first amateur to do so in 33 years on the PGA TOUR, announced on Thursday that he will turn professional and intends to accept membership of the PGA TOUR. The announcement was made at a press conference on the campus of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
“It was the easiest and hardest decision I’ve ever had to make,” Dunlap said on Thursday. “I was very lucky that everyone had the same opinion about it and my teammates were amazing, they supported me a lot. They wanted me to pursue my dreams.”
Dunlap, a sophomore at Alabama, won the American Express in La Quinta, California, last Sunday. He is the first player to win the U.S. Junior Amateur, the U.S. Amateur and a PGA TOUR event while still an amateur and is the second youngest winner since World War II (only behind Jordan Spieth).
By virtue of his victory at the American Express, Dunlap is exempt on the TOUR until the end of the 2026 season. Dunlap, 20, will be exempt for the remaining seven Signature Events this season, THE PLAYERS Championship and all full tournaments in 2024. He is also exempt for the The Sentry in 2025.
“The opportunity to choose your schedule on the PGA TOUR is incredible,” said Dunlap. Dunlap is also exempt for three of the four majors this year: the Masters, the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship. He is exempt for the Masters and the PGA Championship thanks to his victory at The American Express. His victory at the U.S. Amateur 2023 earned him a spot in this year’s US Open. The tournament allows the reigning U.S. Amateur champion to compete as a professional, so he maintains that exemption. The R&A has not yet announced the exemption criteria for the 152nd Open Championship.
As he was an amateur when he won The American Express, Dunlap does not receive FedExCup or Presidents Cup points for his victory. He is eligible to receive FedExCup points in all TOUR events from now on. He will also not receive retroactive earnings for the victory at The American Express. Dunlap, who was the best amateur in the world when he turned professional, ranks 68th in the Official World Golf Ranking. An exciting professional career awaits him. And it all started on Thursday.
