Reviewed by: Pat Byington
BIG WIN: UA golfer Nick Dunlap now has something in common with Tiger Woods
What do legendary golfers Bobby Jones, Jack Nichlaus, Arnold Palmer, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods all have in common with Crimson Tide golfer Nick Dunlap? They are all U.S. Amateur Champions. Read on for more on this Alabama native and the legacy he’s creating.
Nick Dunlap’s big win at the U.S. Amateur Open
On his 33rd hole at the U.S. Amateur Open, Dunlap beat Ohio State’s Neal Shipley, securing him the champion title. But this isn’t your average champion.
Previously, Tiger Woods was the only golfer in history to win both the U.S. Junior Amateur and the U.S. Amateur. Now, it’s Tiger Woods and Nick Dunlap.
Dunlap, the 19-year-old golfer from Huntsville, won the U.S. Junior Amateur in 2021, and he followed up with the U.S. Amateur win on Sunday, August 20 of this year.
In addition, Dunlap is only the second University of Alabama golfer to win the U.S. Amateur, joining Jerry Pate in the victory.
This is Dunlap’s third major tournament win, and, according to the University of Alabama, it “all but ensures him exemptions” into some big-name golf tournaments in 2024 than even non-golfers (like me) recognize. Those include:
- U.S. Open
- Open Championship
- Masters
Nick Dunlap has an impressive list of achievements
Needless to say, Nick Dunlap is already making an impressive name for himself. The now-sophomore at the University of Alabama was homeschooled, and started making big impressions early on in his golfing career.
In middle school, Dunlap set the course record at Birmingham’s Highland Golf Club—and he’s been on a roll ever since. Here are some of the impressive wins he had even before he joined the Crimson Tide, according to the University of Alabama:
- 73rd Alabama Boys State Junior Championship of the Alabama Golf Association in July of 2018
- 2021 Dustin Johnson World Junior Championship in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
- AJGA Polo Golf Junior Classic in 2022
After being Golfweek’s No. 1 junior golfer in the class of 2022, Dunlap has continued to make a name for himself on the Crimson Tide team. Here’s what he’s accomplished so far:
- 61st Northeast Amateur title in June 2023
- 123rd North & South Amateur championship title in June 2023
- Named SEC Freshman of the Week in 2023—twice
With his latest impressive victory at the U.S. Amateur, Dunlap joins Tiger Woods in being the only golfers to win both the U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Junior Amateur.
Not only is Dunlap a standout golfer, he’s also a standout student as a member of the SEC First Year Academic Honor Roll. His achievements in both the classroom and on the golf course have garnered a lot of attention, and we have a feeling he’s just getting started.
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