Nick Dunlap made history with the American Express, becoming the youngest amateur to win a PGA Tour event since 1910. He was scheduled to play in the Farmers Insurance Open this week at Torrey Pines. But amidst the emotion and attention he received on Sunday evening, the youngster made the surprising decision to withdraw.
PGA TOUR Communications Team announced the withdrawal via social media on Monday.
“After my life changed forever in the last 24 hours, I have decided to withdraw from the Farmers Insurance Open. I plan to return to Alabama to be with my family, friends, and teammates. Thank you to Farmers Insurance and American Express,” the statement read.
At first glance, his decision to skip this week's event is easy to understand. His life has likely been turned upside down since his historic victory. However, his decision caused internet trolls to go wild with LIV Golf rumors.
Both Phil Mickelson and Jon Rahm congratulated him, but things got even more exciting.
Sure, there's a reason why LIV looks good on the Alabama Crimson Tide golfer. After all, his failure to receive the $1,512,000 prize money allocated to the American Express winner is probably a tough pill to swallow. Instead, second-place finisher Christian Bezuidenhout received the prize money that would change his life.
But at the same time, another lucrative opportunity is in front of him.
This win could lead to NIL (Name Image Likeness) trading in the near future. Dunlap was wearing an Adidas hat and shirt, and his golf bag and hat had TaylorMade logos.He also wore the logo The PGA Tour said he is affiliated with Wealthspire Advisors, a New York-based investment and financial planning firm.
It wasn't disclosed how much money Dunlap would make on this, but it was still more than most NIL contracts expect from athletes.
Therefore, he will not go completely without it.
However, Dunlap is represented by GSE and agent Kevin Canning. Canning helped Bryson DeChambeau, Jason Kokrak and others sign deals with LIV Golf. That and his sudden appearance made fans think that the college student might also jump for the money.
Nick Dunlap will become a LIV golfer by January 31st
— Bert Macklin PGA (@camcamcam69) January 22, 2024
Will Nick Dunlap receive 50 million from LIV right now?
— Andrew Elimy, PGA (@andrew_e23) January 22, 2024
The last fan reaction was whether it would cost Dunlap $50 million to join LIV.
But the 20-year-old specifically spoke after Sunday's win:
“I always grew up dreaming of playing on the PGA Tour and making putts like I did earlier and winning PGA Tour events. That was always my dream,” Dunlap said.
“I want to do something special, something memorable. It's not just me, I want to leave something behind for maybe someone else to follow.”
It certainly seems like LIV isn't in his future. But the same could have been said of Rahm.
