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The American Categorical golf event not often offers considered one of its coveted sponsor’s exemptions to an newbie, however Nick Dunlap is a uncommon newbie.
Dunlap, a 20-year-old sophomore on the College of Alabama, received the U.S. Beginner final 12 months in Denver and two years after he received the U.S. Junior Beginner at Pinehurst in 2021. Just one different golfer has pulled off the U.S. Junior Beginner-U.S. Beginner double: A man named Tiger Woods.
This week’s PGA occasion, which begins Thursday in La Quinta, California, would be the fourth skilled occasion Dunlap has performed in. He’s performed within the final two U.S. Opens and the 2023 Butterfield Bermuda Championship. So although he’s carried out on the game’s largest stage, he’s nonetheless thrilled to get the invite to The American Categorical.
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“It’s actually cool, and never simply because I used to be capable of get out of some unlucky climate again house,” Dunlap stated Wednesday after enjoying within the pro-am. “The American Categorical has given me an incredible alternative. I get to play three actually good golf programs. The climate’s stunning and also you get to play towards one of the best gamers. It’s all the time cool to see the way you stack up towards one of the best.”
Nick Dunlap practices on the driving vary at PGA West throughout apply day of The American Categorical in La Quinta, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024.
Match government director Pat McCabe stated giving Dunlap one of many occasion’s eight sponsor’s exemptions was a fairly straightforward name.
“I simply assume it’s vital to offer these adorned younger gamers alternatives like this,” McCabe stated. “Will probably be enjoyable to see him on the market enjoying with the professionals at a PGA occasion. We’re excited to have him right here.”
Dunlap didn’t make the reduce in his different three professional tournaments, in order that’s a streak he’d wish to see finish this week. He appears like his recreation fits the three programs used within the occasion, and his secret weapon on the bag is former assistant coach Hunter Hamrick.
“Hunter is aware of my recreation rather well and I believe we’ve got gameplan, so we’ve got to simply go do us,” Dunlap stated. “I believe my recreation stacks up nicely out right here. I really feel like I’m a stable putter and nearly as good as these greens are … I imply everyone hits it good at this degree, so it would come right down to a placing contest. Simply form of trying ahead to it. Feeling good.”
If there was any ounce of intimidation enjoying with a professional, it went away as soon as he noticed his pairing. Dunlap is paired with Wilson Furr, a fellow Alabama alum who simply received his PGA Tour card this 12 months after a profitable season on the Korn Ferry Tour. Actually, Furr has additionally solely performed in three PGA occasions.
Dunlap and Furr are half of a giant contingent of gamers within the Alabama fraternity on the occasion this 12 months, a gaggle that additionally consists of main winner Justin Thomas in addition to Davis Riley, Robby Shelton and Lee Hodges. For the report, no College of Alabama participant has ever received this occasion.
“Yeah, there’s a whole lot of us, and once I noticed I used to be enjoying with Wilson Furr, I’ve performed a whole lot of golf with him so it must be a snug matchup for us. Needs to be enjoyable,” Dunlap stated.
Whereas Dunlap is worked up to be within the desert this week, it received’t be his final professional occasion of 2024. His U.S. Beginner win qualifies him for the Masters. He’s by no means performed Augusta Nationwide, and stated it’s one thing he’s been fascinated by quite a bit since he certified.
“It’s fairly dang cool, I’m not gonna lie, and I do know I’ll be enjoying with Jon Rahm the primary two days, in order that’s massive, too,” Dunlap stated. “All I’ve heard is that Augusta is a distinct beast, so I’m trying ahead to experiencing that.”
Shad Powers is a columnist for The Desert Solar. Attain him at shad.powers@desertsun.com.
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