Amateur Nick Dunlap to turn pro and join LIV Golf? Here’s what he had to say…
There are two obvious questions Nick Dunlap has to answer in light of his history-making PGA Tour victory.
In case you weren’t aware, the 20-year-old became the first amateur to win on the North American circuit since Phil Mickelson in 1991.
After the tears dried following the gutsy six-foot putt he holed to claim The American Express, he was asked by reporters if he would now be turning professional.
His answer was entirely predictable. He’s not sure and will take some time to discuss his next move with his family, coach and girlfriend Isabella Ellis.
As the reigning U.S. Amateur champion, Dunlap already has starting berths at the 48th Masters, Open and U.S. Open.
Should he now turn pro, he would relinquish a spot at the Open at Royal Troon but will be offered a place at the U.S. PGA Championship at Valhalla instead.
It should be noted that two LIV players, Jon Rahm and Phil Mickelson, were quick to congratulate Dunlap on the win.
“Way to pull through under pressure,” Rahm wrote on X. “This is just the beginning,” Mickelson added on the same platform.
There’s no denying that Dunlap would be a huge coup for LIV.
Such an impressive performance by Nick Dunlap. Congratulations on an incredible win. This is just the beginning
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) January 22, 2024
Furthermore, it’s also important to consider that Dunlap is represented by GSE and his agent Kevin Canning worked on the deal that brought Jason Kokrak to the rival league.
Asked recently by Golfweek if he has any interest in taking part at LIV, Dunlap said: “As of right now I have no idea, I really don’t.”
Dunlap explained, much like Rory McIlroy did after his fourth victory at the Dubai Desert Classic, that he grew up watching Tiger Woods and he wants to emulate the iconic golfer.
“I don’t know if that’s cocky or not,” he said.
He explained: “I’ve always grown up dreaming of playing on the PGA Tour, and making a putt just like a little bit ago, to win a PGA Tour event.
“That was always my dream, to do that. I’ve always tried to chase something that nobody else has done.
“That’s why I always put in the work that I do, I want to do something special, and something memorable, not only for me, but maybe to leave something behind for somebody else to try to follow and gauge at.
Here’s what he had to say…
He continued: “For me, that’s Tiger, right. Like I probably won’t ever even be close to some of the records he set, but I always try to set myself, you know, I’m trying to chase him.
“I know that’s an extremely high bar, and I don’t know if that comes off really cocky or not, but for me that’s something, I consider him the greatest ever, and for me to try to chase that, and even to be in somewhat of a conversation with him is, like I had said, it’s a dream come true, and it’s why I do what I do.
