Nick Dunlap made PGA Tour history but didn't take home a dime of the $1.5M prize

Last week, Nick Dunlap was hustling around the University of Alabama campus trying to make it to his classes on time. A few days later, he's now a PGA Tour champion.

Dunlap, a 20-year-old sophomore at Alabama, won The American Express over the weekend to become the first amateur to win a PGA Tour event in 33 years. The last amateur to accomplish that feat was Phil Mickelson at the 1991 Northern Telecom Open. 

Unfortunately for Dunlap, he doesn't receive a dime of the $1.5M winner's prize because he's not a professional golfer. That sum goes to Christiaan Bezuidenhout, who finished in solo second place at PGA West. Bezuidenhout earned $600K more than he would've if any non-amateur golfer had won the tournament. 

Missing out on a seven-figure prize he rightfully earned is a bummer for Dunlap, but the win does come with a few perks. 

The talented youngster is now exempt on the PGA Tour through 2026. He also has the option to turn pro at any point this season, which would allow him to play in signature events and earn prize money as a member of the PGA Tour. 

Remember, those signature events are limited-field, no-cut tournaments with purses of at least $20M. Dunlap would have the chance to make back that $1.5M and more if he decides to turn pro now.

But it's not that easy of a decision. Dunlap's goals, at least before this week, were to become the No. 1 amateur in the world and win a national championship with his Alabama teammates. Those opportunities would fade away if he goes pro, but joining the PGA Tour would unlock his ultimate goal of winning majors and becoming a top-ranked player in the world.

It won't be an easy decision for Dunlap, but the $1.5M hole in his bank account might shape his thinking.