Nick Dunlap, 20, becomes 1st amateur winner on PGA Tour in 33 years

Nick Dunlap became the first amateur in 33 years to win on the PGA Tour, making a six-foot par putt on the final hole for a one-shot victory over Christiaan Bezuidenhout at The American Express on Sunday in La Quinta, Calif.

Dunlap, the 20-year-old University of Alabama sophomore and reigning U.S. Amateur champion, is the first amateur winner since Phil Mickelson at the Tucson Open in 1991. Playing in just his fourth tour event, he became only the seventh amateur winner since 1945 — and the third since 1957.

The only amateur in the 156-player field in the tournament long known as the Bob Hope Desert Classic, Dunlap surged into a three-shot lead with a sizzling 60 in the third round. He lost that lead Sunday on the front nine on the Stadium Course at PGA West, but he played with the resilience of a seasoned veteran down the stretch, capped by his recovery from two errant shots on the 18th for the winning par.

"Nothing like I've ever felt," Dunlap said. "It was so cool to be out here and experience this as an amateur. Whether I had made that or missed that [last putt], if you would have told me [on] Wednesday night I would have a putt to win this golf tournament, I wouldn't believe you."

WOW!