Nick Dunlap turns pro in emotional interview and accepts PGA Tour membership

Nick Dunlap has confirmed in an emotional interview that he is turning professional and accepting full membership on the PGA Tour following his incredible victory at The American Express last week.

Alabama golfer Dunlap, 20, announced on 25 January that he will leave his university and immediately turn professional. 

The Huntsville native became the first amateur to win on the PGA Tour since Phil Mickelson in 1991. 

He also set a new tournament record score of 29-under par, and he became the youngest ever winner of The American Express.

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Dunlap holds the enviable record of being the only other golfer alongside Tiger Woods to have won the US Amateur, US Junior Amateur and a PGA Tour title. 

Sadly due to his amateur status, Dunlap did not earn the first prize of $1.5m at The American Express.

He also did not receive any FedEx Cup points as a result of not being a PGA Tour member. 

The money and points will not carry over either just because he has now turned pro and joined the PGA Tour. 

As the reigning US Amateur champion, Dunlap had already locked up his playing rights at The Masters, US Open and The Open this season prior to The American Express win.

However, Dunlap now relinquishes his spot at The Open this July as a result of having turned pro. 

He could still qualify for the final major of the season should he continue to establish himself on the PGA Tour, or come through Open Championship qualifying ahead of Royal Troon. 

One positive of turning pro for Dunlap is that he now earns a place in the field at the US PGA Championship at Valhalla in May. 

Many more doors will now open up for him on the PGA Tour. 

Dunlap had already received an invite to compete in this week's Farmers Insurance Open at famed Torrey Pines, but he chose to withdraw to consider his golf future.

He considered his options with his family and friends the past three days, and then came to the decision he would turn professional.

In a tearful interview at the University of Alabama, Dunlap said: 

WATCH THE FULL PRESSER HERE

Alabama Men’s Golfer Nick Dunlap Holds Press Conference

#RollTide | @AlabamaMGolf https://t.co/6OYrG506Xk

— Alabama Athletics (@UA_Athletics) January 25, 2024

Dunlap also revealed he will make his professional PGA Tour debut at next week's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. 

The American will also take his place in all the remaining Signature Events on the PGA Tour this season as a result of his debut win in California.

Dunlap addressed rumours linking him with a move to LIV Golf earlier this week.

But he quickly put all that to bed by confirming his allegiance to the PGA Tour.

Welcome to the big time, Nick Dunlap.

PRESS RELEASE: The American Express winner Nick Dunlap joins PGA TOUR as a member pic.twitter.com/lmJc9k55UE

— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) January 25, 2024