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The American Categorical champion Nick Dunlap has an enormous determination to make – to show professional or to not flip professional.
The primary novice to win on the PGA Tour since Phil Mickelson in 1991 is exempt on the PGA Tour by means of the 2026 season, so technically there’s no rush. But when he turns professional, he’s additionally exempt into the remaining seven signature occasions this season, a number of of that are restricted discipline, no-cut occasions with purses of not less than $20 million (in addition to The Sentry in 2025). It’s a no brainer for the Alabama sophomore, proper?
However when requested throughout his winner’s press convention if he could be accepting PGA Tour membership, Dunlap hesitated and the extra he spoke about it the extra conflicted he appeared.
“I do not know,” he stated. “I actually don’t.”
Dunlap’s life has modified it doesn’t matter what he decides and he’s gained admission to a brand new world.
“Beginning the week, should you would have stated, hey, in 5 days you’re going to have a PGA Tour card or a chance for 2 years, I might have checked out you sideways,” Dunlap stated.
I don’t suppose he was being modest. And his subsequent assertion was telling. He famous that his determination has enormous ramifications not only for him.
“It impacts lots of people, (Alabama) coach (Jay Seawell) again there and my teammates, and it’s a dialog I must have with lots of people earlier than I make that call,” he stated.
Congrats on the unbelievable victory right this moment! @NickDunlap62 It’s fairly laborious for me to not watch the NFL playoffs right this moment, however I used to be glued to watching the American Categorical Championship right this moment. One in every of three within the final 65 years! Adore it!!
— Scott Verplank (@scottverplank) January 22, 2024
Later, he would categorical a want to be ranked No. 1 within the World Newbie Golf Rankings and to win a hoop together with his Alabama teammates. Having already received the U.S. Junior Newbie and U.S. Newbie in 2023, he’s in Rose Zhang territory the place there’s actually nothing extra for him to realize within the novice recreation. Plus, Dunlap additionally has dreamed of profitable on the Tour for many of his life.
“As a child, you type of whack it round everywhere in the placing inexperienced and each putt’s for an opportunity to win, whether or not that’s a PGA Tour occasion, the Masters, the U.S. Open. And to have that putt, I took somewhat bit longer than I usually would possibly, and simply take within the second and nothing’s without any consideration. I could not ever have that likelihood once more, and I simply need to embrace it,” he stated. “You recognize, like I stated, it could not ever occur once more.”
There’s, after all, a wild card to be thought of in all of this. There’s little question that LIV Golf will circle with a profitable supply that can make him suppose twice about whether or not he desires to attempt to win a hoop or have a checking account with Saudi-funded generational wealth.
Throughout a digital press convention I requested Dunlap if he or his representatives have been contacted by LIV, and in that case, does he have any curiosity in competing within the league?
“As of proper now I do not know, I actually don’t,” he stated.
He shared that he’s represented by GSE and agent Kevin Canning, who Dunlap stated labored a deal for Jason Kokrak to go to LIV. GSE additionally represents Bryson DeChambeau and quite a few of their clientele jumped to LIV for giant bucks.
“However so far as me, I’ve all the time grown up dreaming of enjoying on the PGA Tour, and making a putt similar to somewhat bit in the past, to win a PGA Tour occasion. That was all the time my dream, to do this. I’ve all the time tried to chase one thing that no person else has carried out. That’s why I all the time put within the work that I do, I need to do one thing particular, and one thing memorable, not just for me, however perhaps to go away one thing behind for someone else to attempt to observe and gauge at,” Dunlap defined. “For me, that’s Tiger, proper. Like I most likely received’t ever even be near a number of the information he set, however I all the time attempt to set myself, you realize, I’m making an attempt to chase him. I do know that’s an especially excessive bar, and I don’t know if that comes off actually cocky or not, however for me that’s one thing, I contemplate him the best ever, and for me to attempt to chase that, and even to be in considerably of a dialog with him is, like I had stated, it’s a dream come true, and it’s why I do what I do.”
Not that I anticipated him to come back out and proclaim he had a contract again in his lodge room that his lawyer was reviewing, however that feels like a reasonably laborious no.
There was another telling remark that will point out whether or not he’s planning to remain in school as Phil Mickelson did after he received as an novice in 1991.
“You bought any homework to do tonight?” he was requested.
“Sure,” he stated. “In all probability received’t do it although.”
Spoken like a school child with professional aspirations. Apparently, Alabama’s switch portal should be open.
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