Alabama Golfer Nick Dunlap Holds Solo Lead at The American Express
Alabama sophomore golfer Nick Dunlap lit up the amateur golf world over the offseason, winning the 2023 U.S. Amateur Championship and representing the United States in the 2023 Walker Cup.
Now, he's making his name known on the professional stage. After three rounds at The American Express in La Quinta, California, Dunlap holds the solo lead at 27-under-par. He holds a three-stroke lead over Sam Burns heading into the final round.
If Dunlap is able to hold on to his lead on Sunday, he would become the first amateur to win on the PGA Tour since Phil Mickelson in 1991.
Dunlap moved two spots up the leaderboard on Saturday after shooting a bogey-free 60 (12-under-par) in the third round. He has been hot from the start. In the opening round on Thursday, Dunlap shot a 64 and a 65 in the second round.
He is just the second amateur every to shoot a 60 at a PGA Tour event.
While Dunlap is the only current Alabama golfer in the field, he isn't the only Crimson Tide representation at The American Express. Former Alabama golfer Justin Thomas is in third place close behind Dunlap after three rounds at 23-under-par.
Thomas went on a tear on the back nine Saturday afternoon, birdying holes 12 through 17. He also had a bogey-free round of 61.
Even while competing on his own for PGA an international events, Dunlap still competed with the Alabama golf team in the fall. He played in three of their four fall tournaments, finishing among the top eight individuals in each tournament.
