"I've probably watched more of that" - Nick Dunlap prefers watching US Amateur over FedEx Cup, relives last year's victory
Nick Dunlap reflected on his journey after winning the 2023 U.S. Amateur and subsequently competing on the PGA Tour. The American golfer is currently competing at the 2024 FedEx St. Jude Championship but revealed watching more of the U.S. Amateur than the PGA Tour event this week.
Dunlap made significant progress after the second round, jumping 21 positions on the leaderboard to secure fifth place in the ongoing event. Meanwhile, the U.S. Amateur is also underway at Hazeltine National Golf Club.
Following the second round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship, Nick Dunlap was asked to comment on his journey since winning the 2023 U.S. Amateur. The 20-year-old said if someone had told him a year ago that he would achieve two wins on the PGA Tour and record top-10 finishes, he would have called them "crazy."
"It's unbelievable, honestly. If you would have told me I would have been standing here, honestly, if you would have told me I'd have two top 10s in a TOUR event, much less two wins, I would have called you crazy. Very honored and fortunate to be standing here," Dunlap said (via ASAP Sports).
He also mentioned watching the U.S. Amateur instead of the tournament he is playing. Dunlap said he was looking forward to the U.S. Amateur changing someone's life like it did for him.
"I've probably watched more of that than I have this tournament this week. I'm honestly just looking forward to it changing somebody else's life as well," he added.
Nick Dunlap turned professional in 2024 and has won two tournaments — The American Express and the Barracuda Championship. He has also recorded a top-10 finish at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. He is at T5 after the second round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
A look into Nick Dunlap's performance at FedEx St. Jude Championship 2024
Building on his strong start, Nick Dunlap was impressive in the second round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship. On Friday, he shot a 5-under 65, jumping 22 spots to tie for fifth place on the leaderboard.
Dunlap teed off on Thursday, August 15, recording six birdies and three bogeys to post a 3-under 67 in the first round. In the second round, he started with three consecutive birdies on the first three holes and added another birdie on the ninth. On the back nine, he carded two birdies and one bogey to finish with a 5-under 65.
After Friday's round, Nick Dunlap is tied for fifth place with Justin Rose. Denny McCarthy leads the tournament, tied with Hideki Matsuyama. FedEx St. Jude Championship will conclude with the final round on Sunday, August 18. The 2024 U.S. Amateur will also conclude on Sunday.