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Nick Dunlap: Performing Ahead Of Schedule

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Orlando Fuller | Last updated Nov 8, 2025 1:09 PM ET

The Worldwide Technology Championship is now underway with many faces showcasing their talents across the board. With what many would consider an ideal vacation in Mexico, athletes within the Tour are trying to secure a big time career win. A name that has gotten some much deserved buzz after hitting every fairway in round one, Nick Dunlap is leading the field thus far. Really putting himself on the map with an amateur win a year ago, and now tying the course record at El Cardonal at Diamante. Becoming the first within the PGA Tour since 1991, to win as an amateur and again as a professional during the summer.

A Veteran Despite Age

Dunlap is only 21-years-old, but holding himself to a standard similar to those in veteran status. He shot an 11-under 61 to start the competition, tying the course record right off the bat against a tough field of play.

“Just kind of one of those days,” Dunlap said. “Golf’s been very hard recently and today was the opposite of that.”

A strong first round put in display what Dunlap could be capable of when he’s feeling it. His 61 came in as the best round on Tour since he finished with a 60 at the American Express Tournament. Not only did he have a strong showing, but hit on all 14 fairways while only missing one green. The first time in his Tour career that Dunlap hit on all of his fairways, truly putting forth an eye opening performance.

“I think I hit every fairway, gave myself a ton of opportunities to attack some of these pins,” Dunlap said. “We had really scorable conditions this morning, greens were in great shape and I just kind of hit some iron shots to gimme range and made a couple good putts.”

Prime Chance

Dunlap enters the third round in a two way tie, for second place with Sami Välimäki. With his eyes set on yet another Tour victory under his belt, it will be easier said than done. The field continues to showcase some of the best in the sport, and a tight leaderboard headed into the weekend play.

In the appearance at the Bank Of Utah Championship a week ago, Dunlap also got off to a hot start with a powerful 66 in the opening round. Yet he managed to slide down the board at a drastic rate, after following it up with a 76 on day two and missing the cut. That mishap should be a great teaching point for Dunlap and his team, as he looks to keep building on his tie for the course record.

“Golf can make you be very, very hard on yourself, especially when you’re putting a lot of work in, you’re not getting good results, might get a couple bad breaks. Some days it just feels like you never have a good number or feels like every wind might make you uncomfortable,” Dunlap said. “Kind of seems like that’s how it’s been for me recently and today was a nice change of pace.”

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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