‘Wrong On All Levels’: Golf Fans Bash PGA Tour After Nick Dunlap’s Bizarre $1.5M Controversy

Wins that rewrite history usually invite awe and laudation. However, the same cannot be said for Nick Dunlap’s recent historic win at the American Express. Even though the 20-year-old set records by becoming the first amateur, his shockingly low share of prize money did not receive a similar reaction. Instead of getting the whopping prize money set for the tournament, he will have to adjust to other perks.

This bizarre loss of $1.5 million, meanwhile, wasn’t received well by the fans. It ignited a much-needed conversation in the golf world regarding the prize money share of amateurs and college-level professionals. Calling out the PGA Tour for its rules, the golf community delivered some serious harsh verdicts.

What exactly happened to Nick Dunlap’s $1.5 million?

Dunlap emerged victorious at the American Express, leaving Christiaan Bezuidenhout in second place, along with Xander Schauffele at T3, tied with two others. However, as against the norm where the winner gets the biggest slice out of the prize money cake, the same would not apply to the amateur’s win.

Instead of being the winner, Bezuidenhout will get $1.512 million despite finishing in second place. Surely, not a bad day for the South African professional golfer. Even Justin Thomas, Kevin Yu, and Schauffele would get paid as if they finished T2.

This ironical win for Nick Dunlap surely will not benefit him monetarily, but it has given him some respite in the form of some key benefits. The win has provided the amateur golfer with a PGA Tour membership card valid through 2026, which he can use post-turning pro.

Upon turning pro, the 20-year-old will also get an exemption for the Masters and the PGA Championship. Moreover, regardless of his amateur or pro status, his win will fetch him the chance to play THE PLAYERS.

Despite the benefits, this has left the golf world enraged. These exemptions and passes are evidently not enough for fans. Many have been raising questions about why Nick Dunlap can not be awarded his due share as a winner by the Tour using the NIL, or the name, image, and likeness route put forth for college athletes. The irony of the situation has fans putting in their two cents.

The golf community reacts to the ironic situation

The golf world was quick to comment on this matter as soon as news of Dunlap’s win and the related money situation came to light. While some of the fans were curious why an alternate route was not being carved for the amateur to attain the money he deserved, others were concerned about what would happen if he chose to turn pro. What was common in all reactions was the anger and confusion on the matter.

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One of the fans presented a strong case for the American Express winner. He wrote, “Wrong on all levels” and pointed how the times have changed from when Phil Mickelson was in the same place and how the Tour should take cognizance of this.

Adding to the list of golf fans who were curious to know what Dunlap would gain if he turned pro, were these other twitteratis.

Meanwhile, one of the user couldn’t add but add humor to the situation. The user painted a vivid imaginary picture of Bezuidenhout caddy post the big win.

A fan was quick to suggest the PGA Tour a way they can award Dunlap his dues. The fan’s idea was for the PGA Tour to have Dunlap do a sponsored post for them as NIL.

Some netizens also pointed out how it was a big day for finishing second today, making a jab at Christiaan Bezuidenhout.

Overall, the fans looked totally in disagreement of the action of the Tour concerning the amateur. One of them expressed his anger and confusion as he questioned the rationale behind this decision.

All in all, the famous platform was filled with back-to-back reactions from enraged fans throughout the world of golf. Among whom, most believed the rule to be an unfair call. 

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