Nick Dunlap posted his lowest score of this young PGA Tour season on Saturday at the American Express.
And he's not even a professional.
The University of Alabama sophomore paraded around La Quinta Country Club, posting a bogey-free 12-under 60.
“I made a lot of putts. The putter felt really good,” Dunlap said of his great round.
“Per se, I don't think I missed anything to make. I drove well. I hit the irons really well. After that round, I don't have any negatives. I did everything well.”
Dunlap heads into Sunday's final round with a three-stroke lead over Sam Burns and a golden opportunity. If Dunlap continues to win, he will become the first amateur to win a PGA Tour event in 30 years.
Interestingly, Phil Mickelson's last championship was in 1991, when he won the Northern Telecom Open in Tucson, Arizona. Mickelson was a 20-year-old sophomore at Arizona State University at the time.
When asked what winning this event meant to him, Dunlap replied, “I don't know if I can put it into words.”
“I think it's easy to get there. [out] I think it's there, but I don't know. It must be difficult. Obviously on the PGA Tour, it's going to be something I've never experienced before.we have a good game plan [The Stadium Course.] I [just need] Like, get out there and stay present. [my caddy] and go from there. ”
Dunlop has extensive experience in big championships.
After all, he is the only player other than Tiger Woods to win both the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship and the U.S. Amateur Championship. Dunlap defeated Neil Shipley 4-3 at last year's U.S. Amateur at Cherry Hills Country Club in Colorado.
“I hear he's an unbelievable player,” Alabama alumnus Justin Thomas said of Dunlap.
“He stands up when the time comes and I don't think you can teach that to anyone. He's been playing well on the biggest stage and that's very impressive. Yeah. [Sunday will be] It's a great day for golf in Alabama.coach knows [Jay] Sewell will be tuned in very close to television. ”
Dunlap started the round with a par on the 10th hole at La Quinta Country Club and then made four straight birdies.
He was running away from there.
After six birdies on the back nine, Dunlap made the turn with a 6-under 30. He will be able to replicate that score on the front side. Gorgeous eagle on the 6th par 5.
Indeed, his putter was on fire as Dunlap needed just 25 putts on Saturday. This is a very impressive performance for any player, let alone an amateur, on the biggest stage.
“The stages are obviously different, but at the end of the day, it’s still golf,” Dunlap said.
“There's a tee box, there's a flag, there's a hole at the end of the hole. You try your best to fit it in with the minimum number of shots. That's all I got. Just make birdies as much as I can.” Please try to take a good look.”
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation's Playing Through.Be sure to check it out @_PlayingThrough Cover more golf. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko In the same way.
