NASSAU, Bahamas – Nick Dunlap ought to be a junior on the College of Alabama, prepping for a run at a nationwide title however as a substitute he’s a two-time winner on the PGA Tour, the favourite to win the Arnold Palmer Award for Rookie of the 12 months and a sponsor exemption into the 20-man area this week on the 2024 Hero World Problem at Albany Membership.
“A whirlwind,” the 20-year-old stated throughout a pre-tournament press convention in summarizing his 12 months. “Just to be sitting here at his tournament and to be in the Bahamas when I should be a junior in college is unbelievable and I definitely don’t take it for granted.”
Dunlap’s life modified when he received The American Categorical in late January, changing into the primary beginner to win on the PGA Tour since Phil Mickelson in 1991 and simply the third to take action since 1957. He turned professional shortly thereafter and validated the choice with one other trophy after carding seven birdies and an eagle in his ultimate spherical on the Barracuda Championship, his first win as a professional.
The scoring ebook of Nick Dunlap on the Hero World Problem 2024 at Albany Golf Course. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Photographs)
“Eight months ago I was sitting at a table with all my teammates playing college golf. The world’s come at me a little quick…you know, a lot of learning, ups and downs, but I’ve seen some really, really cool places and I’m getting to compete against the best players in the world week in and week out and it’s an honor,” stated Dunlap, who teed off within the first spherical at 11:41 a.m. ET alongside Sam Burns.
This week, Dunlap is staying with one other former Alabama standout, Justin Thomas, who made his personal headlines as a prodigy when he performed his first Tour occasion at age 16 within the 2009 Wyndham Championship.
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“It was weird talking to him last night asking what he was going to do for his 21st birthday, that hasn’t happened yet,” stated Thomas, who has sprinkled in some large brother recommendation alongside the way in which. “I wish there are things I would have known at that age that just would have been helpful. Like anybody that I’m friendly with at that age, I want to be a resource and help if I can. But it’s not my place to barge in, but to kind of know I’m here type thing. It’s totally different, but it’s not harder than it needs to be, right? It’s just golf and you’re still trying to beat everybody, it’s just at a different level.”
Dunlap and match host Tiger Woods share an fascinating declare to fame – they’re the one two gamers to win each the U.S. Junior Newbie Championship and the U.S. Newbie.
Tiger Woods walks with Nick Dunlap and Aaron Rai for the Hero Shot problem forward of the 2024 Hero World Problem at Albany Golf Course in Nassau, Bahamas. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Photographs)
Dunlap stated he hasn’t pestered Woods for any recommendation, including “Just to see him is enough for me.” However he has picked up some helpful ideas from Will Zalatoris. The 2 performed a observe spherical on the Gamers Championship in March and Dunlap famous it wasn’t something Zalatoris informed him however he realized an ideal deal from how Zalatoris spent his time learning the course.
“It was just watching the way he prepared for that golf tournament and strategically where he chipped from, where he putted from, where he hit iron shots to, it was eye opening to me because I never really paid that much attention in practice rounds,” he stated. “From there on out I took a step of actually learning the golf course on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. It may only save you a half a shot or a shot and that could mean the difference at the end of the year.”
Throughout his crash-course introduction to the Tour this season, Dunlap decided that his good kind is sweet sufficient to win, however when his sport is off key it isn’t the place it must be but to have the ability to carry out the way in which he’d like to each week.
“I still play like a 16-year-old sometimes and that’s going to not allow you to play the weekend,” he noticed. “As I kind of learned, it’s not necessarily the great finishes that help you for the season-long race, it’s how do I turn a 50th into a 25th or how do I turn a missed cut into a 35th.”
Dunlap has the look of a star within the making and with extra expertise the sky could possibly be the restrict for the 20-year-old who’s simply beginning to get snug with life on Tour.
“Yeah, just being more comfortable in my own skin and my own game and knowing that I don’t have to change anything, I just have to get better at a couple things to be able to compete out here,” he stated.
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Publish date : 2024-12-05 20:39:32
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