Alabama golfer Nick Dunlap makes decision on whether to turn pro
Alabama golfer Nick Dunlap, after winning the American Express Tournament on Sunday to become the youngest amateur to win a PGA Tour event since 1910, announced he will turn pro at a news conference Thursday, and said he will make his pro debut at the AT&T Pro-Am.
The sophomore became the first amateur to win a PGA Tour tournament since Phil Mickelson in 1991. With a sponsorship exemption, he finished an incredible 29-under par to win by one stroke. He shot a 2-under par 70 in his final round Sunday.
At 20, he's also the youngest amateur to win a PGA Tour event since 1910. However, as an amateur, he wasn't able to take the tournament's cash prize of $1.5 million. With the victory, the Huntsville native and former U.S. Amateur champion made the biggest jump in the history of the Official World Golf Rankings, soaring from 4,129th to 68th.
When Mickelson won the Northern Telecom Open in 1991 as an amateur, he opted to remain at Arizona State until graduating in 1992.
Retired Alabama football coach Nick Saban called into The Golf Channel during Dunlap's Sunday push.
MORE: How much did Nick Dunlap win after The American Express victory? Payout, purse breakdown
More:NICK SABAN COMMEMORATIVE BOOK Relive Nick Saban’s epic Alabama football coaching career with our special book! Preorder here.
Reach Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on Twitter @chasegoodbread.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama golfer Nick Dunlap makes decision on whether to turn pro
