LA QUINTA, Calif.– Nick Dunlap‘s sweetheart flew cross-country Saturday to invest the weekend with him in Palm Springs, so the 2 university student prepared to get a steak supper before Dunlap finishes up his day with a little laundry and some research.
And After That on Sunday, Dunlap will try to end up being the very first amateur to win on the PGA Trip in 33 years.
The University of Alabama sophomore fired a 12-under 60 to take a 3-shot lead over Sam Burns at The American Express on Saturday, matching the most affordable round by an amateur in PGA Trip history.
Justin Thomas shot 61 and was 4 shots back of the 20-year-old Dunlap, who destroyed La Quinta Nation Club and relocated to 27-under 189 on the Coachella Valley competition’s 3 generous courses.
With 10 birdies and an eagle in his aggressive, precise round, Dunlap matched then-amateur Patrick Cantlay‘s 60 at the 2011 Travelers Champion. Dunlap’s rating to par was the very best ever by an amateur; Cantlay was 10 under at par-70 TPC River Highlands.
” The putter felt so excellent,” Dunlap stated. “The hole appeared like a funnel.”
Just 7 beginners have actually won on the PGA Trip given that 1945, and just 4 given that 1950. The last to do it was Phil Mickelson, who won the Tucson Open in 1991 as a 20-year-old Arizona State junior.
Dunlap is the very first amateur to hold a 54-hole lead on the PGA Trip given that Paul Dunne at the 2015 Open Champion. Dunne shared the lead with Jason Day and Louis Oosthuizen going into the last round however shot 78 on Sunday to complete connected for 30th.
Burns led after 2 rounds, however Dunlap flew previous him while playing a number of hours previously. Burns shot a constant 65 on the Arena Course to remain in contention after taking the lead with his career-low 61 on Friday.
The last round will be played Sunday on the Arena Course, where Thomas connected the course record on Saturday. Dunlap shot a bogey-free 65 on the Arena on Friday for the greatest rating of his 3 remarkable rounds.
” I believe it’s going to be difficult in either case,” Dunlap stated. “Taking a look at this location, like, it’s expected to be simple, and guys are shooting low numbers, however you still need to go do it. It’s still a golf course, and you still need to strike excellent shots. There runs out bounds all over. For [Sunday], there’s a great deal of water out there. Simply strike one excellent chance at a time, and attempt to stack ’em and provide myself a great deal of excellent appearances.”
Thomas, who won a nationwide title with the Crimson Tide in 2013, roared up the leaderboard with 6 straight birdies on his back 9 to match the longest birdie streak of his profession.
The two-time significant champ is winless given that his 2nd PGA Champion triumph in May 2022, however Thomas will have a possibility to capture his fellow Alabama item.
” Didn’t believe I was going to need to handle a freakin’ college kid shooting 60 today,” Thomas stated with a smile. “He’s a stud. He’s the genuine offer. I believe how well he’s dealt with the huge minutes, it states a lot about someone. It appears like the larger the phase, the much better he plays. I have actually never ever had fun with him previously. I most likely would have chosen our very first time in a practice round.”
The last organizing Sunday will be an all-Alabama affair, in such a way: Burns is an LSU item and an avowed Crimson Tide opponent, however he presently has “RTR”– the acronym for “Roll Tide Roll”– shaved into his head after losing a football bet with Thomas.
” Nick is a fantastic gamer, and I believe he’s got a great head on him, so I believe it’s going to be a truly difficult difficulty for us [Sunday],” Burns stated. “He’s playing truly well.”
Dunlap signed up with Tiger Woods in 2015 as the only winners of both the U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Junior Amateur. He played in the previous 2 U.S. Opens due to his amateur success, however The American Express is simply his 4th PGA Trip occasion.
Dunlap is the only amateur in the 156-player field, using a sponsor exemption. He’s the very first amateur ever to make it at the occasion long referred to as the Bob Hope Desert Classic, however he will not get the $1.5 million first-place cash prize or 500 FedEx Cup points if he wins. He would, nevertheless, protect a PGA Trip card and playing benefits for 2 years.
Dunlap would likewise be the second-youngest winner given that 1931. Jordan Spieth was 19 when he won the John Deere Classic in 2013.
Dunlap started the round 2 shots off Burns’ lead, however rapidly leapt in front with 6 birdies on his very first 8 holes. He got 3 more birdies after the turn before holing a long putt for eagle and completing with one last birdie on the par-4 18th.
South Africa’s Christiaan Bezuidenhout was 4th at 21 under. Xander Schauffele shot 63 to sign up with a group of 5 gamers at 20 under.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler made the 54-hole cut at 14 under after his third-round 69 on the Arena Course.
Details from The Associated Press was utilized in this report.