ALBANY (BAHAMAS): "I've never seen water this blue," marvelled the youngest of the 20-man field at the Hero World Challenge. It's Nick Dunlap's first trip to the Bahamas. In many ways, it has been a year of firsts for the 20-year-old majoring in finance at the University of Alabama. He claimed his first PGA Tour win in 2024, becoming the first amateur to win a PGA Tour event in 33 years. He couldn't pocket the $1.5m prize money.
The unassuming youngster turned pro, and claimed his second victory in July, this time cashing in on his $720,000 cheque. The 33rd-ranked Dunlap will at least earn $150,000 for a 20th-place finish this Sunday but his eyes are on the $1million that comes with the winner's trophy, and the respect he can earn from this top field.
Masters and Olympic champ, World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler stands like a colossus with 7 wins, 2 runner-up and 16 top ten finishes this season. But there is no bigger figure than Tiger Woods, only hosting and not competing but watching the 'boy' who is following in his footsteps. Claiming both the US Junior Amateur and US Amateur, Dunlap emulated the world icon, becoming only the second male player to achieve this feat.
"I grew up watching Tiger's YouTube highlights, just like everybody else did, and all his records that will never be reached. To share a little bit of history with him is very humbling. Just to be sitting here at his tournament and to be in the Bahamas when I should be a junior in college is unbelievable and I don't take it for granted," said the 6'3" golfer, standing tall among the giants at the Ernie Els-designed Albany GC.
Like him, former World No. 1 Justin Thomas, now ranked 30, has also attended classes at the Univ of Alabama. Enjoying top-5 finishes at Albany in his last four outings, Woods' good friend who had experienced fatherhood with daughter Molly's birth a fortnight before, is on a comeback trail at the $5m event. The Indian interest will revolve around Sahith Theegala, Aaron Rai - winner of the entertaining Hero Shot of the Day on Tuesday - and Akshay Bhatia, all playing this event for the first time.
(The writer is in Albany on the invitation of Hero MotoCorp)
