Monday, January 22nd, 2024 Edition
Nick Dunlap stood tallest in the biggest moments to become the first amateur to win a PGA Tour event in 33 years
– by Dave Shedloski / Golf Digest
Per Dave: “No sport forces us to question what we think we know more than golf does because no sport has the ability to surprise us more than golf…”
B&B POV: Nick Dunlap plays golf like a seasoned PGA TOUR vet. The swing. His distance control. His composure. The crazy 12-under 60 he shot Sat. in the American Express. But not the cash. At least not yet.
So, how good is the amateur who just won on the PGA Tour? 1/No other amateur has won on tour since Phil did it in 1991. 2/The only other golfer in history to win the US Junior Am and US Am is Tiger. 3/He stared down his playing partners on Sunday. Like a boss. Those partners: JT and Sam Burns. Recent Ryder Cuppers. No biggie for Nick, who wasn’t rattled and outplayed those guys on Sunday. That was fun to watch Nick. Now fly home and go to a frat party and celebrate. And don’t forget to bring the Big-A Trophy!
After a year of tears, Lydia Ko collects 20th LPGA title at LPGA TOC, moves closer to Hall of Fame
– Beth Ann Nichols / Golfweek
Per Beth: “The joke coming up the 18th on Sunday was that Lydia Ko now owns more LPGA titles (20) than years Alexa Pano has been alive (19)…”
B&B POV: At the youthful age of 26, Lydia Ko won the LPGA’s season TOC kick-off event at her home course Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, FL. If she wins again in 2024, or has a stellar campaign and chalks up enough RACE to CME GLOBE points by seasons end, she will qualify for the LPGA Hall of Fame. Let’s just say she was a prodigy and has kept up the pace for most of her career sans a few personal and professional blips. Alexa Pano, 19, finished solo 2nd at 12-under in the TOC.
Ko only pocketed $225k for her victory, which is more than the amateur Nick Dunlap took home for winning the PGA TOUR’s American Express (rules disallowed him from banking any $), but 1/6 what Christian Bezuidenhout took home for finishing 2nd behind Dunlap. At some point the prize purse discrepancy needs to diminish, but until then, the LPGA rich just won’t be as rich as the PGA TOUR rich, and a far cry from the LIV rich.
PAYDAY! 2024 The American Express™ Prize Money Payouts
– Thomas Hamden / Balls & Bogeys
Per Thomas: Talk about a plot twist in the PGA Tour’s script! Amateur Nick Dunlap plays a stellar round, clinches the victory at The American Express, and then someone tells him, “Well, you won, but sorry, no cash for you!” But he did get to lift that Big-A Trophy and earn a ton of exemptions on Tour and spots into golf’s biggest tourneys. It’s like winning the lottery but finding out the cash ticket was for a free sandwich to go along with the brightest of professional golf futures when he’s ready to jump into the grind. The big $$$ winner of the weekend: South African, Christian Bezuidenhout…
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WITB Winner’s Bag: Nick Dunlap, the 2024 American Express
– by Thomas Hamden / Balls & Bogeys
Per Thomas: Who knows? Maybe Nick Dunlap is getting paid some NIL $ from one or two of the club/ball manufacturers he played with while winning the PGA TOUR’s The American Express this weekend. One thing we do know for certain, no amateur has won on tour in 33 years, so looking into his bag is likely more relevant than looking into most pros’ bags – because he made all the decisions on what he played with and wasn’t influenced by contracts or club reps. His bag set-up was his call and his call only. And it worked – to the tune of 29-under over four days in La Quinta. CRAZY GOOD!!! …
Rory McIlroy avenges last week’s loss, blitzes field over weekend to cruise to fourth Dubai title
– by Jake Coffin / Golf Digest
Per Jake: “Rory McIlroy was 10 shots off the lead heading into the weekend of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. After a third-round 63, and three birdies on the first nine holes Sunday during the final round, McIlroy then built a four-shot lead after 12 holes at Emirates Golf Club…“
B&B POV: If you didn’t already, Rory McIlroy is good at golf. And his weekend rollercoaster at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic ended in an emphatic victory.
On Sunday, Rory strolled through the first nine holes, casually dropping birdies like breadcrumbs. By the time he reached the 12th hole, he not only had the lead, but he had built an insurmountable four-shot cushion. It’s like he found the cheat code to the golf universe, and others were left wondering if they accidentally selected the hard mode.
Voila, Rory McIlroy claimed victory for the fourth time at the Dubai Desert Classic, standing tall’ish at 14-under-par. The German giant, Adrian Meronk, finished one back. American Cam Young floundered on Sunday, finishing in solo 3rd.
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‘How to Chip It Like a Pro with Hall of Famer Hale Irwin’
One of golf’s greatest players of all time, Hale Irwin, shares a few tips to hit solid chip shots off of tight lies around the green. Our biggest takeaway here: keep it simple and let the club do the work.
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