TRUCKEE, Calif. — Nick Dunlap turned the primary participant in PGA Tour historical past to win as an novice and knowledgeable in the identical yr, rallying Sunday for a two-point victory within the Barracuda Championship.
In January at The American Categorical in La Quinta, the 20-year-old Dunlap — then a sophomore on the College of Alabama — turned the eighth novice to win a tour occasion and the primary in 33 years. He turned skilled days later.
“I by no means thought that I might have my title subsequent to that, but it surely’s positively an honor,” Dunlap mentioned concerning the amateur-pro double. “It has been a little bit powerful after AmEx. You type of lose a little bit little bit of confidence and surprise if you are able to do it once more.”
On Sunday at Tahoe Mountain Membership in the one PGA Tour occasion that makes use of the modified Stableford scoring system, Dunlap took the lead with a 55-foot eagle putt on the par-5 fifteenth.
Gamers obtain eight factors for a double eagle, 5 for an eagle and two for a birdie. Some extent is deducted for bogey and three for double bogey.
“I hadn’t made an eagle but this week, in order that was type of the objective, and simply play aggressive, not reckless,” Dunlap mentioned. “This course, it lets you make a variety of birdies in the event you’re in place.”
Dunlap added a birdie on the par-4 seventeenth, chopping the dogleg with a 304-yard drive and chipping to three ft.
9 factors behind chief Mac Meissner getting into the day, Dunlap had 19 factors within the bogey-free spherical to complete with 49. He birdied six of the primary 12 holes on the tree-lined Outdated Greenwood course.
“The one bitter factor about that is that successful second goes shortly,” Dunlap mentioned. “It does not keep so long as you could suppose, simply because tomorrow I am flying to Minnesota and making an attempt to repeat and do the very same factor.”
Vince Whaley completed second, making a 17-foot birdie putt on par-4 18th for a nine-point day.
“I did not hit it excellent the entire day and I type of stored myself in it with the quick recreation,” Whaley mentioned. “Then missed a pair I felt like I may have made coming in.”
Patrick Fishburn had 46 factors, holing a 10-footer for birdie on 18 to cap a 12-point spherical.
“It was an incredible week,” Fishburn mentioned. “That is most likely certainly one of my favourite stops of the yr.”
Meissner was fourth at 44. He closed a five-point spherical with a bogey.
“I am positively fairly bummed,” Meissner mentioned. “It was a irritating day. I had a pair beauty early for birdie via the primary 10 holes and did not capitalize. It was simply powerful.”
Taylor Pendrith and Patrick Rodgers tied for fifth at 43.
With two occasions left within the common season, Dunlap jumped from ninety fifth to 63rd within the FedEx Cup standings. The highest 70 will advance to the playoffs.
“It has been a objective,” Dunlap mentioned. “It is, truthfully, one of many causes I performed right here.”
