This American golfer won $1.5 million in a tournament. Here’s why he couldn’t cash the check
Nick Dunlap – The Golf Prodigy Who Walked Away from $1.5 Million for His Dream ⛳💼🌍
Life moves fast when you’re a prodigiously talented young golfer — so fast, in fact, that sometimes a fortune might slip through your fingers before you even realize it.
Just last year, Nick Dunlap was a finance student at the University of Alabama. Fast forward a few months, and he made history on the PGA Tour, winning the American Express tournament in California and becoming the youngest champion in nearly 90 years. He also became the first amateur to win on tour since Phil Mickelson in 1991.
The prize for that victory? A jaw-dropping $1,512,000. But as an amateur, Dunlap wasn’t allowed to accept the money.
“Yeah, it stings a little,” he told CNN Sports. “But in the end, I got what I wanted most — the trophy.”
Just months earlier, he had joined golf legend Tiger Woods as one of only two players in history to win both the US Junior Amateur and the US Amateur titles. And in a historic twist, he did something even Woods never managed — winning on the PGA Tour both as an amateur and later that same season as a professional.
From College Classrooms to Million-Dollar Payouts
After his victory, Dunlap left university and turned pro almost overnight. The transition wasn’t all smooth — he had just one top-10 finish in six months and missed the cut in all three majors he played. Still, he ended his first season with nearly $3 million in earnings.
But according to Dunlap, the hardest part wasn’t the competition — it was adulthood.
“In college, everything is laid out for you. Suddenly I had to figure out taxes, hire accountants, open bank accounts, buy a place in South Florida… it was a huge step.”
Staying Grounded, Staying Competitive
Though now ranked among the world’s top 50 golfers, Dunlap still tries to stay grounded — and have fun.
“I played in a Pop Stroke Putt Putt championship with a buddy. I still try to enjoy the game like a kid.”
Even so, he’s fiercely competitive:
“I miss the feeling of competing when I’m home. I love that rush, that nervous energy. My parents are both super competitive, so I guess I got it from them.”
He prefers to keep his goals private, but there’s no doubt major tournament success is at the top of his list. His debut at the Masters was unforgettable — and not in the way he’d hoped.
“I was so nervous even in the practice rounds. Then I hooked my first tee shot straight into the crowd and hit a guy in the head. Blood everywhere. I was like, ‘Great start.’”
Despite the rough intro to Augusta, Dunlap remains optimistic and motivated.
“This is what I’ve always dreamed of — playing golf for a living, traveling the world, competing against the best on legendary courses. Honestly, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”