Photo by Al Chang/ISI Photos/Getty Images
Dunlap made history Sunday as he became a two-time PGA Tour winner at the Barracuda Championship, but it is deeper that that.
Nick Dunlap burst onto the scene in January when he won the American Express and became the first amateur since Phil Mickelson to win on the PGA Tour.
He added to his legacy Sunday as he won for the second time at the Barracuda Championship in California.
At this event, the PGA Tour plays a Modified Stableford scoring system. Birdies are worth two points, eagles five, and double eagles are eight. Players lose one point for bogeys and three for double bogeys.
The former Alabama Crimson Tide golfer matched the highest single-day scoring mark of the week. He signed for 19 points with seven birdies and an eagle better known as a 62 in stroke play. Dunlap earned a total of 49 points to defeat Vince Whaley by two.
It all changed for Dunlap at 15 when he made a massive 55-foot eagle putt that gave him the solo lead.
He earned $720,000 for this win and kept the money. However, he could not take his victory check at American Express because he played as an amateur.
Dunlap made history again in 2024, and it is rare to do that on the PGA Tour. Since his win in January, he has had some growing pains.
In 18 events, he has 3 top 10s, 6 Top 25s, and made 12 of 18 cuts. At 20, it can be hard to adjust to life on the Tour, but after a long few months, he came out on top again.
Let’s examine why this 2nd victory is so important.
The first player in PGA Tour history to achieve this feat
Photo by Al Chang/ISI Photos/Getty Images
It is rare for a rookie to win on the PGA Tour, much less as an amateur. He marks the first PGA Tour player to win as an amateur and rookie in the same season.
The last rookie to win twice on the PGA Tour also won for the second time in 2024 at the Open Championship on Sunday. Xander Schauffele won twice in 2017 during his freshman campaign.
“I never thought I would have my name next to that, but it’s an honor,” Dunlap said after his win. “It’s been tough after AmEx. You lose confidence and wonder if you can do it again. I truly have the greatest team and they support me, believe in me, push me, and they’re the reason that I’m here.”
His 9-under 62 at the Tahoe Mountain Club was extremely impressive, and hopefully, it gave him some confidence moving forward.
Dunlap is rewriting history books and reminding the rest of the PGA Tour of the talent these young players possess.
Dunlap could now extend his season
The youngster received 300 FedEx Cup points, which pushed him to No. 64 in the standings. His current ranking gets him into the FedEx St. Jude Championship, but if he continues to play well, the Alabama native could make it to the BMW Championship.
Despite his struggles earlier this year, a win like this could come at the right time for him to make a late jump and prolong his season.
Making a stronger argument for the young wave hitting the PGA Tour
The young players continue to show out on the PGA Tour this season. Dunlap’s second win is an even stronger argument because it shows they can hang with the veteran players.
At 20 years old, Dunlap is a 2-time PGA Tour winner. He joins the likes of Tom Kim and many other stars who burst onto the scene. Look at Ludvig Åberg. He has two victories — one DP World Tour and one PGA Tour.
The youngsters are taking over and making the competition even more fierce. Dunlap has some momentum under his belt now, so watch out. This win in California could be just the start for him.
His next chance to garner points will be this week in Minnesota for the 3M Open.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @golf_girl_sl.
