Nick Dunlap handled the pressure on the PGA Tour Sunday like a veteran.
With a 6-foot par putt on the 18th, the 20-year-old University of Alabama sophomore hit the perfect putt to win the American Express. Dunlap shot a final round 70 to finish at 29 under par and beat Christian Bezuidenhout by one stroke.
He faced challenges this past week, preaching that “pressure is a privilege.”
Dunlap became the first amateur to win a PGA Tour event in more than 30 years. Phil Mickelson's last tournament was at the Northern Telecom Open in 1991, when he was 20 years old and a sophomore at Arizona State University. Additionally, he is the youngest amateur to win since 1910.
Yes, 1910.
The reigning U.S. Amateur champion entered Sunday with a three-stroke lead over Sam Burns. Barnes and others challenged the young man throughout the day, but he fought back.
He hit a double bogey on the par-4 7th hole and fell from the lead, but he barely made it back up. He quickly bounced back and birdied the next hole to take the lead again.
Late in the game, Dunlap put pressure on Barnes. He made two important birdies on the 14th and 16th. His putt on No. 16 tied him for the lead with two strokes left, setting the stage for a wild finish.
Burns' tee shot fell into the water at No. 17, resulting in a double bogey. He then doubled 18 and finished T6.
Bezuidenhout made a crucial birdie on the 18th and entered the clubhouse at 28 under. It put a little pressure on the 20-year-old, but it didn't make any difference.
Dunlap remained calm and collected, shutting out both of the final two holes to take home the victory.
It's not easy to compete for a tournament spot at 6 feet. It's very stressful. Dunlap never felt it put any pressure on him.
Savannah Lee Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation's Playing Through.If you want to know more about golf, please follow us. @_PlayingThrough On all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirls and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.
