Alabama sophomore Nick Dunlap is turning pro after becoming the first amateur in 33 years to win on the PGA Tour.
Dunlap announced his decision Thursday in a campus news conference, four days after the reigning U.S. Amateur champion won The American Express.
He secured the one-shot victory with a 6-foot par putt on the final hole.
“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.”
The 20-year-old will make his professional debut at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on Feb. 1.
With family, Alabama golf coach Jay Seawell and teammates looking on, Dunlap wiped away tears while thanking those close to him.
“Gosh dang, I didn’t think I was gonna cry,” he said.
Dunlap had withdrawn from the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines to consider his options.
Thanks to his victory, Dunlap has a PGA Tour card through 2026. He will be eligible for seven $20 million signature events this year, along with three majors (and still a chance to play the British Open).
“It’s a week today that the first round started and a week ago if you had told me that I had the opportunity to live out my dream as a 20-year-old — it’s pretty surreal,” said Dunlap, who plans to continue living in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
“But it’s also scary. There’s a lot of changes.”
Dunlap had earned a spot in the Masters, U.S. Open and British Open after winning the U.S. Amateur last summer. Despite turning pro, he can still play in the U.S. Open since the USGA no longer requires the U.S. Amateur champion to stay amateur.