What Happened to Nick Dunlap’s American Express Prize Money? The Amateur Star’s PGAT Future Explored

A marvelous display of determination and hard work! The perfect words to dub his first victory that Nick Dunlap was able to register on the PGA Tour. However, although the win does come with its proper glory, the benefits he received are not the same as the usual ones that the pros get, courtesy of him being an amateur.

Be that as it may, it’s not as if he has nothing to gain from the amazing win that enabled him to become the first amateur to win a PGAT title after three decades. But even so, curiosity naturally arises regarding his future on the men’s circuit following the Tour not awarding him any points or a cut of the prize money!

The results of Nick Dunlap’s first PGA Tour win

Dunlap registered a score of 29 under 259 to beat the runner-up, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, along with Xander Schauffele who finished T3 tied with two others. The winner’s cut of $1.512 million would, thus, be awarded to Bezuidenhout, following which the likes of Justin Thomas, Kevin Yu, and Schauffele would get paid as if they finished T2 in the tournament. However, coming to the FedEx points, only 300 would be awarded to the runner-up. Meanwhile, the 500 points set aside for the champ would not be allocated to the rest of the field.

What about the 20-year-old amateur? Well, his triumph on the circuit got him a tour membership card valid through 2026, a benefit that he can make use of at any time after turning pro during the current season. If he does not become a member in 2024, then the athlete will only be able to take up the same for 2025 during the 30 days following the end of the current Tour season. He would, thus, be able to play at the Sentry next year. If the youngster does not make use of this period, his next chance will only come during the same 30-day period, but after the 2025 season. This would enable him to play on the circuit as a pro in 2026.

Moreover, if he turns pro, he would also be exempted from two of the majors in 2024: the Masters and the PGA Championship. But, interestingly, he can participate at THE PLAYERS regardless of whether he is a professional or an amateur, owing to his American Express victory.

Well, Dunlap was able to rake in such benefits all thanks to him beating the field full of professionals at the 2024 American Express in a scintillating fashion, no less. Even so, what would happen if he chose not to turn pro?

Dunlap’s future as an amateur

If the 20-year-old chooses to retain his amateur status, then the athlete can still take part in a maximum of 12 full-field tournaments in the current season as a PGA Tour winner. Other than that, he would not be eligible to participate in the rest of the 2024 signature events if he does not turn pro, including the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, the Genesis Invitational, and five others.

ALSO READ – ‘I’ve Enjoyed’: Nick Dunlap Shows No Concern for the ‘Amateur Curse’, Blissfully Ignores Typical Newbie Worries

The youngster has already been guaranteed entry into three of the 2024 majors, including the U.S. Open, the Masters, and the Open Championship, owing to his winning the 2023 U.S. Amateur. However, the golfer’s participation in the last two depends on him not turning pro, while the first of the three allows the amateur champ to play as a professional.

Thus, if he does turn pro, his entry into the Open Championship would face a perilous situation. But if he doesn’t, the prospect of the athlete appearing for the PGA Championship would take a hit. Nevertheless, all eyes will surely be on the athlete to find out the decision that he makes in the end!

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