[PHOTO: Orlando Ramirez]
Nick Dunlap’s encore will have to wait at least another week.
Dunlap, less than 24 hours after his breakthrough win at the American Express tournament, pulled out of this week’s Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.
“After a life-changing last 24 hours, I’ve decided to withdraw from the Farmers Insurance Open,” Dunlap wrote in a statement released by the PGA Tour. “I plan to return home to Alabama to be with my family, friends and teammates. Thank you to Farmers Insurance and American Express for giving me these opportunities.”
The 20-year-old University of Alabama sophomore shocked the golf world over the weekend, becoming the first amateur in more than 30 years to win on the PGA Tour. The win grants Dunlap tour status through 2026, along with gaining him entry into the tour’s signature-event series, which includes next week’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the ensuing Genesis Invitational. Dunlap, who was already in the Masters and US Open fields thanks to capturing the US Amateur, is also now exempt into the PGA Championship.
After yesterday’s victory, Dunlap did not announce his immediate intentions regarding his professional status, although due to eligibility stipulations, he can not accept any prizemoney earnings as long as he remains an amateur.
Dunlap is not the only noteworthy name to withdraw from Torrey Pines. Justin Thomas, who played in the final group yesterday with Dunlap and Sam Burns, has also dropped out of the Farmers Insurance Open.
The Farmers Insurance Open begins this Wednesday (Thursday, Australian time) in order to not coincide with the NFL’s conference championship games. Max Homa is the defending champion.
