Alabama Golfer Nick Dunlap Accepts PGA Tour Membership

On Sunday, Dunlap won The American Express, becoming the first amateur to win on tour since Phil Mickelson in 1991.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Tour card secured.

On Thursday, Alabama golfer Nick Dunlap announced that he will forgo the rest of his college eligibility, opting to accept his tour membership as a 20-year-old sophomore.

"I truly do have the best team and I'm very grateful to say that," Dunlap said. "I mean that wholeheartedly, but at this time I do want to announce that I am turning professional. I'm accepting my PGA Tour membership and I'm going to debut in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am."

In 2023, Dunlap became the first player since Tiger Woods to win the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Junior Amateur. With his win at The American Express, the Huntsville, Ala. native caught the eyes of the golf world once more — becoming the first amateur to win on tour since Phil Mickelson in 1991. 

“It’s not easy telling the guys that you love, your teammates, that you’re leaving, and leaving in-season especially,” Dunlap said. “That’s not something I’d say will haunt me, but I feel bad, for leaving in-season and I got pretty emotional.”

Dunlap will be exempt for the season’s remaining seven remaining Signature Events, THE PLAYERS Championship and all Full-Field Events in 2024, while also being exempt for The Sentry in 2025.

See More:

Four-Star 2024 Edge-Rusher Noah Carter Commits to Alabama