How I Stumbled Upon Nicholas Dunlap
Scrolling through sports clips yesterday evening, some amateur golf highlights caught my eye. This young guy in a college polo was draining putts like a machine at Pinehurst. The commentators kept yelling about a “college kid beating pros” – that’s when I first heard the name Nicholas Dunlap. Curiosity hit me hard so I started digging.
First thing I did? Jumped straight to tournament archives from 2022. Turns out he’d been tearing up junior circuits since age 15. Found this crazy detail: during one junior event, he played 36 holes with food poisoning and still won by three strokes. The kid literally puked between holes! Now that’s dedication.
Tracking His Career Turning Point
Decided to trace his breakthrough moment. Remembered hearing about an amateur winning a PGA Tour event this January – my coffee almost went flying when I confirmed it was HIM! Watched tournament footage frame by frame. His final putt at La Quinta still gives me chills. Dude’s hands were shaking so bad I thought he’d whiff, but bang! Dead center.
- Just turned 20
- First amateur winner since 1991
- Beat ranked pros using borrowed clubs
The Real Story Behind the Win
Deeper research revealed the insane part. Two weeks before that historic win, he almost quit competitive golf! Found this old local news interview where he talked about burnout after non-stop tournaments. His coach made him take four rest days – zero swings. Came back fresh and broke records.
Most folks don’t know he almost skipped La Quinta entirely. Thought the competition was “too stacked” against him. Changed his mind last minute after his sister texted “What’s the worst that could happen?”
Why His Story Resonates
What makes Dunlap special isn’t just the skills. It’s how human his journey feels. Saw an interview where he admitted forgetting extra socks during his big win. Played the final round with soaked feet because he stepped in a creek. Ended up using rain gloves to handle his slippery putter! That moment captures him perfectly – messy, improvised, but gets it done.
His equipment tells the same story. Still uses the same dented water bottle from high school tournaments. Writes tournament notes in a three-dollar notebook from Walgreens. Keeps a poker chip in his pocket for luck – gift from his grandma before she passed.
Finishing my research around midnight, I realized why this resonates. In today’s golf world of private jets and million-dollar endorsements, here’s a kid who still eats peanut butter sandwiches during rounds and wears sunscreen that streaks on his face. Relentlessly himself while achieving the impossible. That’s the real magic.
