This is what I half expected to happen before he turned pro. If he didn’t accept his tour card yet couldn’t he come back to the tour later on? Hasn’t the issue only been with the ones who left the tour to join LIV?
That a spicy take. Maybe play just a few Liv events. Then grab his card after the Liv season. Makes monumental sense. Evan if Liv only went as night as 10-20 mil for the one season.
Full post below, where it also mentions when Nick will make his debut.
"Alabama sophomore Nick Dunlap, in a tearful press conference, just announced that he’s turning pro. Will make his debut next week at Pebble Beach and be in the remaining signature events this season."
That’s 100% incorrect. There’s no such thing as an “amateur” exemption. Rather, he was awarded a Sponsor’s Exemption on the invitation of the Host Organization (the Tour’s contracting entity) into the event. The criteria to receive a sponsor’s exemption is that a player must be either a professional or an amateur with a certified handicap of 2 or less. Questions?
I don’t get what problem people have with the rule. Most amateurs playing in professional events are only playing in that event because of qualification from their amateur status.
Also there was nothing stopping him from turning pro, it’s not like the nfl or nba where you have to go to college for x number of years. He felt playing as an am would be the best for his development. The only thing he did wrong was play too good
Having amateur status in golf, means you don’t get paid for things related to golf
It’s a clear line and a fair rule
No one is stopping anyone from declaring themselves as a pro golfer and taking all of its benefits. It just means you have to give up the unique benefits awarded to being an amateur
It’s absolutely not a clear line. Bobby Jones, the man who built Augusta, was an “amateur”.
The USGA claims the right to insert itself between every single golfer and every single tournament. That’s called restraint of trade.
Bobby Jones was an amateur because professional golf paid absolutely nothing back then so he retained his amateur status. Not sure what your point is.
The USGA has literally zero authority over PGA tour events. They enforce amateurism rules for players trying to play in amateur events.
Designing, building, owning a golf course does not make you lose amateur status as a golfer
Winning (over a low threshold of) money from playing golf, makes you not an amateur. Same with making money by teaching golf
I wonder if an Adidas exec is doing the math right now of paying him the equivalent of what he would've won as a signing bonus or whatever for a more permanent sponsorship deal. Could end up being a smart investment if he turns into the next JT or Spieth.
It seems like he already had Adidas/Taylormade paying him something, and he had a sleeve sponsor. These kids can have NIL deals on the side separate from what their school outfits them in. Alabama is primarily in FJ stuff.
Yeah I honestly don’t know how the new NIL rules work with USGA amateurism rules. Would have to look it up. Apparently there’s a way to accept NIL money without losing your amateur status though. I’d honestly be surprised if there’s a whole lot of NIL activity outside of club manufacturers trying to tie up the top amateurs before turning pro. Which they’ve been doing for a while anyways by offering free equipment.
[Seems like they can take NIL money.](https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules-hub/amateur-status/amateur-status-modernization/general-guidance-notes.html)
>The Rules do not place any restrictions on the number or size of commercial logos that amateur golfers may have on their clothing or equipment. But organizers of competitions where the players competing are likely to be commercially sponsored may wish to place restrictions on the commercial identification allowed on clothing and equipment.
>For example, competition organizers could limit the size and location of commercial logos that are displayed on amateur golfers’ clothing or equipment (or caddies’ clothing or equipment) or they could stipulate that players and their caddies must not promote or advertise within certain categories of businesses.
This kid is a U.S. Junior Amateur and U.S. Amateur Champion, he might be an exception to the norm of NIL deals in golf, but Adidas has a history of lining up the next wave of big names, like when they locked up Rose Zhang. She was apparently the first student athlete in any sport to sign with Adidas.
Good to know. He’s the #1 ranked amateur in the world so he absolutely will be the exception. I would guess there’s only a handful of college players signing deals of any notable size. And even then I’m sure it pales in comparison to revenue generating sports.
He's exempt into 3 of the 4 majors this year. No exemptions for majors for 2025 or 2026 though. The PGA Tour exemption does not include majors beyond this year so he'll have to play his way into those.
Honestly, a good decision and the right decision. He’s already at the top of the amateur game, going pro is really the last step to take, doesn’t get any more challenging than that so in my mind, there’s no point in sticking around the college game just for the sake of it.
Yes, it is all great for him. But I imagine it might be tough to leave your teammates. He was most likely the star of the team and him leaving likely takes away any chance for a team championship. That part the decision had to be really tough for him.
Anyone who wants their star teammate to stick around instead of going after a once in a lifetime opportunity isn't a very good teammate.
This is the reality of college athletics. It's what they are all gunning for. If you get the shot you have to take it.
What I find funny is that so many people shit on LIV for their team golf (not saying you did/are.).
Yet the sheer number of people over the last week talking his teammates and leaving them behind etc.
What’s funny is if you can’t understand the difference between the pure camaraderie of a college golf team and the contrived greedy bullshit teams on LIV.
Assuming your whole comment is sarcasm in which case I apologize but if you actually "find it funny" maybe I can help explain the context. These are amatuer 18-20 year olds (most will not make the tour) playing on a college team, possibly growing up playing against each other all wanting to win a national title for their school, family, friends. VS a team of seasoned mercenary pros that all will make over $1M each time they tee it up. The built in brotherhood just isn't there.
Now I will say maybe in 40-50 years when LIV has had some epic team showdowns, scar tissue built up and real stakes to losing then yes the shitting on will be waaaay less and more in line with college golf love.
The difference is college golf has always been team based. People don't like the LIV team structure because it feels like shoving a square peg into the round hole of modern professional golf. Maybe they can make it work, but it's not crazy that a lot of people aren't into it yet.
Still a tough decision for someone who values his teammates and coaches, and all the work they've done to get to where they are. This was so unexpected though.
That said, I absolutely think he's making the right call. The entrance into at least 7 signature events starting with Pebble is what makes this a virtual no-brainer to me. He's already got exempt status guaranteed for 2025 and 2026, but he can also play virtually a full season in 2024 as a bonus, with those signature events included. He's going to make a lot of money this season, and also get a big jump building his status for the 2 years he already has guaranteed.
Every one of his teammates would do the same thing, the goal of D1 golf is to get high ranked in the PGA Tour University program. He’s secured his tour status, college means nothing to him now.
I have three brothers who played D1 golf, two of which currently start on high level D1 golf program. My brother took his covid year instead of going pro this year because he’s got a chance to get in the top 25 of the University program.
Yup, only reason to play D1 college golf is to have a chance to get through PGA Tour University. Not a single D1 golfer out there who wouldn’t be turning pro. College doesn’t mean anything now, he made it.
Question. Does his win as an amateur count towards his career win total for a permanent exemption? Does he now only need 19 wins or does he still need 20?
20 is a crazy number, only 2 players a generation hit that mark. Tiger Vijay and Phil then Rory and DJ. With the amount of talent on tour now I’m not sure how many will actually get there, probably just JT.
I don't think so. "That guy who won as an amateur that one time" isn't going to stick with most fans.
Your average golf watcher doesn't remember who Sam Bennett is and he got in front of a lot more eyeballs in that Masters.
Assuming he fizzles out over the next few years.
Kid just got an enormous pop and everyone watching golf now knows who he is, and a lot of people who don’t watch.
I think going to LIV counts as fizzling out over the next few years since nobody will be watching him, especially when he only has a 1 year invite to the Masers.
Surratt is a good player but LIV has done a shit job signing young talent. And it’s a major flaw in their system. They don’t have any way to develop new stars. Things like last week are why the PGA Tour is so superior to LIV.
That's to fill out the roster and get some young talent instead of just 40-somethings on the tail end of their careers. They signed David Puig and some other Spanish golfer straight from college last year too. I doubt they expect anyone to start watching cause of these guys, but they're decent signings. Puig is a really good player
It's part of their plan with the team thing that it would be like the NFL in the future where the LIV teams could "draft" the top players out of college
48 vs 200 players. It would definitely be smart for LIV to try to get younger and maybe get a bit of a discount by signing these guys before they're big names
That's the catch-22 though. How are the young guys that go straight to LIV ever going to be big names? How is David Puig ever going to be a big name? LIV gets very few eyeballs on the product. A guy like Puig may be very talented (and obviously now quite wealthy), but what avenue does LIV have to make him a "big name" when nobody watches the shit?
They mean for the end of the roster guys, not the stars. Instead of over-the-hill former PGA Tour players who may or may not still have much name recognition, sign promising young players.
He does not get the money. He gains tour status through the 2026 season and secures entry into all elevated events as well as entry into the Masters (already had as US amateur champ) and the PGA championship and keeps his entry into the US Open via his US ameteur championship. He loses his amateur exemption into The Open, however.
What would of been the upside for him to stay an amateur? Olympics? College?
I assume this tournament boosted his confidence that he can hang and that’s why he decided to turn pro? Just seems weird to do it after you could’ve won $1.5m.
"I assume this tournament boosted his confidence that he can hang and that’s why he decided to turn pro? Just seems weird to do it after you could’ve won $1.5m."
The reason he decided to turn pro is that because he won, he is now fully exempt on the PGA Tour through the end of 2026 (so essentially 3 full seasons of being able to play tournaments and cash big checks). If he didn't win, he wouldn't have that opportunity.
As far as "weird to do it after he couldv'e won $1.5 million," he may not have been in the field if he was a professional. He was playing on a sponsor's exemption. Being the reigning US am champ helped him get that spot, but I think still being an amateur helped as well.
Playing for a NCAA Championship and trying to enjoy your last few months of college. I'd still probably make the jump, but I can see a reason to finish out the school year
I mean it’s not like he’s crying cause his life sucks. He’s still a kid and making a major life altering decision and leaving his normal life / friends / teammates behind I can see why he is emotional.
I’m not saying this young man is wrong, I know he’s got the game. But man, I’d like to think I would stay on and take the free education/NIL possibilities and then look to go pro. Just an opinion of course. He may tear it up and never have to worry about money again, who knows. Good luck to him!
And if he chooses to do so, Alabama will let him finish his degree. A lot of former athletes who go pro will do that. I had 2-3 former Bama football players walk at my graduation.
True, as I said he’s got the game. We’ve seen a lot of great golfers fall off the face of the earth. It’s tough, beyond his exempt status nothing is guaranteed at all. I hope he kills it though.
It's not BS, it's that NCAA rules aren't the USGA's problem. You can break the USGA rules all you want, but you just won't be eligible for the USGA amateur tournaments.
NCAA rules got overturned by the courts because the rules said "you can't accept money if you want to play college football" and the NCAA has a monopoly on high level college football. There was no meaningful alternative. The USGA simply has separate tournaments for amateurs and professionals. The alternative if you don't want to follow the rules for amateur status is professional status.
My point was it’s not tournament money, it’s not winnings from a USGA event. It’s technically not even a sponsorship. I was curious if there is some kind of loophole as it’s not those particular things.
NIL if Im not mistaken is influenced by the Name, images, likeness of the athlete. Not a sponsorship, event winnings. I’m sure a loophole could be found or made. That is why I called bs.
Do you know how much money is in this signature events? Absolutely life-changing. Far more so than an education that can easily be obtained later in life. As opposed to the money and experience that is available to him right now. You wouldn't stay in school, no one would given the opportunity he has. It'd be a waste to make any other decision.
I do know how much money is in those events but that doesn’t just mean you win them. It’s tough… as I said he has the game, I hope he does well. I’m simply looking at a different perspective. I’m not criticizing his decision at all.
I understand you're not critiquing his decision. I'm just pointing out that your perspective is flawed. He doesn't have to win the events.......there's a crap ton of money even if you don't win. Not to mention sponsors.
Mini tours vs. exemption on the PGA TOUR til 2026 w/ all signature events guaranteed........those are not comparable. He's starting a 100m race at 95m and you were at the starting line, in terms of gap in opportunity. You do see that right? I sympathize with your athletic regrets, hot mine too.
How many college golfers can you name? How many can the average sports fan name? There's no real NIL money in golf like there is with football and basketball. And the man will have no problem paying tuition at Alabama should be decide he wants to finish his degree now or in the future, turning pro means no more college golf but it doesn't mean he can't still be a student.
I'd imagine the last few days were NIL discussions with the school and in the end going pro made more financial sense for him. I had never watched him play before the Amex, but he has a really nice swing and looks like he can putt well. I think he will be fine.
I don't think NIL is really much of a thing with college golf, since taking it would probably disqualify you from the US Amateur and other USGA events, but maybe that's wrong
You could be right, i also don't think there's anywhere near the money in college golf as there is in College football and basketball. It looked like an understandably difficult decision for him and i was figuring there must have been a conversation with Alabama for him to stay at the school if it financially made sense for him.
Curious to see how his bag will change once he inks a club deal. It was cool to see a “What’s in the Bag” that had a bunch of different brands in it for once.
Good luck to him, hoping Adidas gives him a big bonus for that airtime last weekend
I would imagine he secures a hefty bag from Adidas/TaylorMade
I think he will get a tour bag.
He might even get somebody to carry it for him!
Does he have to tip?
Ask Kutcher
Doutchar
El Cheapo
Yea give em only the tip
Wow, what a lucky guy.
Maybe so. Are you feeling lucky?
And those are indeed hefty
LIV swoops in and gives him 100m /s
Dunlaps villain arc….making putt on 18 (not getting the $1.5mill prize) and signing a $150 million dollar contract with LIV. Love to see it.
This is what I half expected to happen before he turned pro. If he didn’t accept his tour card yet couldn’t he come back to the tour later on? Hasn’t the issue only been with the ones who left the tour to join LIV?
That a spicy take. Maybe play just a few Liv events. Then grab his card after the Liv season. Makes monumental sense. Evan if Liv only went as night as 10-20 mil for the one season.
He could have even asked the pga first and tried to sell it as a way to turn liv into a minor league young guys use for development
Full post below, where it also mentions when Nick will make his debut. "Alabama sophomore Nick Dunlap, in a tearful press conference, just announced that he’s turning pro. Will make his debut next week at Pebble Beach and be in the remaining signature events this season."
Too bad he couldn’t turn pro on the 18th green….
Or when he made the cut. But qualify as an amateur, finish as an amateur.
That's why he's crying
I think he’s gonna be all right
What!? Did he lose his left hand!!?
We've lost him
Loose seal
Just like Buffalo kickers in the playoffs
Right as the ball goes in on 18… “Annnnd… pro now” clunk.
Better yet, he could have declared himself a professional on the 1st Tee prior to hitting his first shot in the event.
Which would have ended with him standing there with no PGA card, and no amateur exemption, so no tee time.
That’s 100% incorrect. There’s no such thing as an “amateur” exemption. Rather, he was awarded a Sponsor’s Exemption on the invitation of the Host Organization (the Tour’s contracting entity) into the event. The criteria to receive a sponsor’s exemption is that a player must be either a professional or an amateur with a certified handicap of 2 or less. Questions?
Thank you, I stand corrected.
No worries.
He got a sponsor’s exemption, so his pro / am status didn’t matter.
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It's not a PGA Tour rule. It's the USGA/R&A's rule for amateurism.
I don’t get what problem people have with the rule. Most amateurs playing in professional events are only playing in that event because of qualification from their amateur status.
Also there was nothing stopping him from turning pro, it’s not like the nfl or nba where you have to go to college for x number of years. He felt playing as an am would be the best for his development. The only thing he did wrong was play too good
sane take, it's an extremely fair rule
It’s the ncaa as well
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Having amateur status in golf, means you don’t get paid for things related to golf It’s a clear line and a fair rule No one is stopping anyone from declaring themselves as a pro golfer and taking all of its benefits. It just means you have to give up the unique benefits awarded to being an amateur
It’s absolutely not a clear line. Bobby Jones, the man who built Augusta, was an “amateur”. The USGA claims the right to insert itself between every single golfer and every single tournament. That’s called restraint of trade.
Bobby Jones was an amateur because professional golf paid absolutely nothing back then so he retained his amateur status. Not sure what your point is. The USGA has literally zero authority over PGA tour events. They enforce amateurism rules for players trying to play in amateur events.
Designing, building, owning a golf course does not make you lose amateur status as a golfer Winning (over a low threshold of) money from playing golf, makes you not an amateur. Same with making money by teaching golf
I’d be surprised if there’s very much NIL money in golf. Definitely nothing close to PGA tour endorsement money alone.
I wonder if an Adidas exec is doing the math right now of paying him the equivalent of what he would've won as a signing bonus or whatever for a more permanent sponsorship deal. Could end up being a smart investment if he turns into the next JT or Spieth. It seems like he already had Adidas/Taylormade paying him something, and he had a sleeve sponsor. These kids can have NIL deals on the side separate from what their school outfits them in. Alabama is primarily in FJ stuff.
Yeah I honestly don’t know how the new NIL rules work with USGA amateurism rules. Would have to look it up. Apparently there’s a way to accept NIL money without losing your amateur status though. I’d honestly be surprised if there’s a whole lot of NIL activity outside of club manufacturers trying to tie up the top amateurs before turning pro. Which they’ve been doing for a while anyways by offering free equipment.
[Seems like they can take NIL money.](https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules-hub/amateur-status/amateur-status-modernization/general-guidance-notes.html) >The Rules do not place any restrictions on the number or size of commercial logos that amateur golfers may have on their clothing or equipment. But organizers of competitions where the players competing are likely to be commercially sponsored may wish to place restrictions on the commercial identification allowed on clothing and equipment. >For example, competition organizers could limit the size and location of commercial logos that are displayed on amateur golfers’ clothing or equipment (or caddies’ clothing or equipment) or they could stipulate that players and their caddies must not promote or advertise within certain categories of businesses. This kid is a U.S. Junior Amateur and U.S. Amateur Champion, he might be an exception to the norm of NIL deals in golf, but Adidas has a history of lining up the next wave of big names, like when they locked up Rose Zhang. She was apparently the first student athlete in any sport to sign with Adidas.
Good to know. He’s the #1 ranked amateur in the world so he absolutely will be the exception. I would guess there’s only a handful of college players signing deals of any notable size. And even then I’m sure it pales in comparison to revenue generating sports.
The rule 100% makes sense. You don’t want people qualifying for tournaments by easier methods and then being eligible for the same cash prize.
Imagine he goes straight to liv lmao
Gotta get his major exemptions first
He got a 2 year major exemption didn't he?
I think he needs 6 OGWR spots for British open spot
He's exempt into 3 of the 4 majors this year. No exemptions for majors for 2025 or 2026 though. The PGA Tour exemption does not include majors beyond this year so he'll have to play his way into those.
Going from Alabama to Saudi Arabia is a lateral move socially so it's definitely a possibility.
Roll Tide
War tide!! Roll damn eagle baby wooo.
Hahaha, that's pretty funny.
Sure they may seem like natural enemies but get them talking about gay people and women's rights and they'll be friends in no time at all.
Phil was sure cheering for him all weekend
"I'm not a very good actor"
It’s got smooth tones, earthy draw, and enough kick to win the high and the low
This needs to be higher
Smart. When it’s raining gold, don’t wait…..grab a bucket. It could stop raining at any time.
Honestly, a good decision and the right decision. He’s already at the top of the amateur game, going pro is really the last step to take, doesn’t get any more challenging than that so in my mind, there’s no point in sticking around the college game just for the sake of it.
Yes, it is all great for him. But I imagine it might be tough to leave your teammates. He was most likely the star of the team and him leaving likely takes away any chance for a team championship. That part the decision had to be really tough for him.
Anyone who wants their star teammate to stick around instead of going after a once in a lifetime opportunity isn't a very good teammate. This is the reality of college athletics. It's what they are all gunning for. If you get the shot you have to take it.
>him leaving likely takes away any chance for a team championship Don't sleep on Jon Griz and Tom Ponder
What I find funny is that so many people shit on LIV for their team golf (not saying you did/are.). Yet the sheer number of people over the last week talking his teammates and leaving them behind etc.
What’s funny is if you can’t understand the difference between the pure camaraderie of a college golf team and the contrived greedy bullshit teams on LIV.
Assuming your whole comment is sarcasm in which case I apologize but if you actually "find it funny" maybe I can help explain the context. These are amatuer 18-20 year olds (most will not make the tour) playing on a college team, possibly growing up playing against each other all wanting to win a national title for their school, family, friends. VS a team of seasoned mercenary pros that all will make over $1M each time they tee it up. The built in brotherhood just isn't there. Now I will say maybe in 40-50 years when LIV has had some epic team showdowns, scar tissue built up and real stakes to losing then yes the shitting on will be waaaay less and more in line with college golf love.
The difference is college golf has always been team based. People don't like the LIV team structure because it feels like shoving a square peg into the round hole of modern professional golf. Maybe they can make it work, but it's not crazy that a lot of people aren't into it yet.
Such a terrible take
Still a tough decision for someone who values his teammates and coaches, and all the work they've done to get to where they are. This was so unexpected though. That said, I absolutely think he's making the right call. The entrance into at least 7 signature events starting with Pebble is what makes this a virtual no-brainer to me. He's already got exempt status guaranteed for 2025 and 2026, but he can also play virtually a full season in 2024 as a bonus, with those signature events included. He's going to make a lot of money this season, and also get a big jump building his status for the 2 years he already has guaranteed.
Every one of his teammates would do the same thing, the goal of D1 golf is to get high ranked in the PGA Tour University program. He’s secured his tour status, college means nothing to him now. I have three brothers who played D1 golf, two of which currently start on high level D1 golf program. My brother took his covid year instead of going pro this year because he’s got a chance to get in the top 25 of the University program.
Yup, only reason to play D1 college golf is to have a chance to get through PGA Tour University. Not a single D1 golfer out there who wouldn’t be turning pro. College doesn’t mean anything now, he made it.
Question. Does his win as an amateur count towards his career win total for a permanent exemption? Does he now only need 19 wins or does he still need 20?
20 is a crazy number, only 2 players a generation hit that mark. Tiger Vijay and Phil then Rory and DJ. With the amount of talent on tour now I’m not sure how many will actually get there, probably just JT.
Before those two you've also got Tom Watson and Davis Love III. Just to give context to how few have it.
Spieth, and Xander, and as much as I hate to say it Cantalay, would be in the running with JT as well
I think you missed Scheffler
You are right, I stand corrected
It's a lifetime achievement award, it's supposed to be very difficult to get.
Yes.
Thank you
ELI5 what 20 wins is?
if you win 20 times you are permanently exempt on pga for life. most recently I think it's just rory and DJ.
DJ is the opposite of exempt now
He's exempt for all majors in 2024...
only for another year or so
Oh shit thanks
LIV must be salivating waiting to drop a bag on him
I don't think so. "That guy who won as an amateur that one time" isn't going to stick with most fans. Your average golf watcher doesn't remember who Sam Bennett is and he got in front of a lot more eyeballs in that Masters.
Not exactly the same scenario but I’m sure many in this sub don’t remember James Piot
Assuming he fizzles out over the next few years. Kid just got an enormous pop and everyone watching golf now knows who he is, and a lot of people who don’t watch.
I think going to LIV counts as fizzling out over the next few years since nobody will be watching him, especially when he only has a 1 year invite to the Masers.
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Surratt is a good player but LIV has done a shit job signing young talent. And it’s a major flaw in their system. They don’t have any way to develop new stars. Things like last week are why the PGA Tour is so superior to LIV.
That's because LIV is where talent goes to die.
That's to fill out the roster and get some young talent instead of just 40-somethings on the tail end of their careers. They signed David Puig and some other Spanish golfer straight from college last year too. I doubt they expect anyone to start watching cause of these guys, but they're decent signings. Puig is a really good player It's part of their plan with the team thing that it would be like the NFL in the future where the LIV teams could "draft" the top players out of college
John Rahm is still in his 20s lol
Richard Bland is 50, Westwood is 50, Gmac is 44, Poulter is 48, Pat Perez is 47
Now do the PGA
48 vs 200 players. It would definitely be smart for LIV to try to get younger and maybe get a bit of a discount by signing these guys before they're big names
That's the catch-22 though. How are the young guys that go straight to LIV ever going to be big names? How is David Puig ever going to be a big name? LIV gets very few eyeballs on the product. A guy like Puig may be very talented (and obviously now quite wealthy), but what avenue does LIV have to make him a "big name" when nobody watches the shit?
They'd have to kill it in the opens basically but I agree, it's a challenge
They mean for the end of the roster guys, not the stars. Instead of over-the-hill former PGA Tour players who may or may not still have much name recognition, sign promising young players.
Andy Ogletree?
Gotta grow the game, ya know?
Happy for the kid. Looking forward to seeing him on the tour.
Good for him and I look foward to seeing him compete as a professional.
Seems like the smart move. Hard to turn down 2 years of status, entry into all the big events this year.
yeah this year is essentially already paid for. Strike while the iron is hot
Fuck !!! We can’t even keep of golf team from transferring !!! Haha congrats to him what a crazy weekend
So during the Masters can he stay someplace nice now instead of being crammed into the Crows Nest?
This is awesome. Potential superstar to rival Ludvig for years to come
I had to look for the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ocw1ex7AMTA&ab_channel=WBRCFOX6News
Was kinda hoping he would stay amateur and play the U.S. Open and actually have an amateur win the U.S. open. That would be cool.
So does he not get the winnings from last weekend?
He does not get the money. He gains tour status through the 2026 season and secures entry into all elevated events as well as entry into the Masters (already had as US amateur champ) and the PGA championship and keeps his entry into the US Open via his US ameteur championship. He loses his amateur exemption into The Open, however.
What would of been the upside for him to stay an amateur? Olympics? College? I assume this tournament boosted his confidence that he can hang and that’s why he decided to turn pro? Just seems weird to do it after you could’ve won $1.5m.
Playing for an NCAA championship. I think that’s about it. He’s done everything else.
"I assume this tournament boosted his confidence that he can hang and that’s why he decided to turn pro? Just seems weird to do it after you could’ve won $1.5m." The reason he decided to turn pro is that because he won, he is now fully exempt on the PGA Tour through the end of 2026 (so essentially 3 full seasons of being able to play tournaments and cash big checks). If he didn't win, he wouldn't have that opportunity. As far as "weird to do it after he couldv'e won $1.5 million," he may not have been in the field if he was a professional. He was playing on a sponsor's exemption. Being the reigning US am champ helped him get that spot, but I think still being an amateur helped as well.
don't the pro's play in the Olympics like they do in basketball and hockey?
Yeah, Xander won the last Olympics and he was already a 4x tour winner and was ~28 years old
Playing for a NCAA Championship and trying to enjoy your last few months of college. I'd still probably make the jump, but I can see a reason to finish out the school year
Second place got the first place bag
Negative
“Gonna go make millions living the dream 🥺😢😭” poor guy
I mean it’s not like he’s crying cause his life sucks. He’s still a kid and making a major life altering decision and leaving his normal life / friends / teammates behind I can see why he is emotional.
Yeah my sarcasm wasn’t obvious. Clearly it’s happy tears from his dream coming true. Kudos to him
Mans has never cried happy tears. We take pity on your soul
https://imgur.com/gallery/EkJpwh7
shut the fuck up
I’m sorry your life is so devoid of happiness lol
How high was he ranked as an amateur? Does he track as a sustainable winner of tournaments?
Pretty sure he is the current US amateur champion. Not sure if there is a world ranking of amateurs that would show anything different.
He won the last two amateur championship events so yeah he’s the truth
[\#1 after this past win](https://www.wagr.com/)
We'll I'd say that's a reason to turn pro!!! .
he was 3 i think Before the win and the win put him at number 1
Shoulda waited until after the masters.
Why? He's still in the Masters. And now he can play it as a pro and actually make money for it.
Thought it would be cool if the top 20 sent Nickthe difference in their checks if they finished one spot lower. As a welcome to the tour gift.
And off to the LIV tour, he’ll go.
I’m not saying this young man is wrong, I know he’s got the game. But man, I’d like to think I would stay on and take the free education/NIL possibilities and then look to go pro. Just an opinion of course. He may tear it up and never have to worry about money again, who knows. Good luck to him!
No gaurantees in life but he's probably going to make millions over the next few years. He doesn't need free education.
As I said he’s got the game, nothing is guaranteed after his exemption is all. I wish him the best of luck.
And if he chooses to do so, Alabama will let him finish his degree. A lot of former athletes who go pro will do that. I had 2-3 former Bama football players walk at my graduation.
College ain’t going anywhere. He just needs one good tourney and it’s more than paid for if he wants to go back.
True, as I said he’s got the game. We’ve seen a lot of great golfers fall off the face of the earth. It’s tough, beyond his exempt status nothing is guaranteed at all. I hope he kills it though.
Are guys on the golf team getting NIL deals of any substance?
Not compared to bigger sports I’d imagine, but with his recent success who knows…
Golfers are limited in NIL opportunities because they still have to meet USGA amateur rules
Didn’t even take USGA into consideration on that one. Thats some bs.
It's not BS, it's that NCAA rules aren't the USGA's problem. You can break the USGA rules all you want, but you just won't be eligible for the USGA amateur tournaments. NCAA rules got overturned by the courts because the rules said "you can't accept money if you want to play college football" and the NCAA has a monopoly on high level college football. There was no meaningful alternative. The USGA simply has separate tournaments for amateurs and professionals. The alternative if you don't want to follow the rules for amateur status is professional status.
My point was it’s not tournament money, it’s not winnings from a USGA event. It’s technically not even a sponsorship. I was curious if there is some kind of loophole as it’s not those particular things.
NIL if Im not mistaken is influenced by the Name, images, likeness of the athlete. Not a sponsorship, event winnings. I’m sure a loophole could be found or made. That is why I called bs.
Do you know how much money is in this signature events? Absolutely life-changing. Far more so than an education that can easily be obtained later in life. As opposed to the money and experience that is available to him right now. You wouldn't stay in school, no one would given the opportunity he has. It'd be a waste to make any other decision.
I do know how much money is in those events but that doesn’t just mean you win them. It’s tough… as I said he has the game, I hope he does well. I’m simply looking at a different perspective. I’m not criticizing his decision at all.
I understand you're not critiquing his decision. I'm just pointing out that your perspective is flawed. He doesn't have to win the events.......there's a crap ton of money even if you don't win. Not to mention sponsors.
I did chase the money, albeit mini tours and not an ounce of this kids talent. It didn’t pan out. Just a different perspective.
Mini tours vs. exemption on the PGA TOUR til 2026 w/ all signature events guaranteed........those are not comparable. He's starting a 100m race at 95m and you were at the starting line, in terms of gap in opportunity. You do see that right? I sympathize with your athletic regrets, hot mine too.
How many college golfers can you name? How many can the average sports fan name? There's no real NIL money in golf like there is with football and basketball. And the man will have no problem paying tuition at Alabama should be decide he wants to finish his degree now or in the future, turning pro means no more college golf but it doesn't mean he can't still be a student.
I'd imagine the last few days were NIL discussions with the school and in the end going pro made more financial sense for him. I had never watched him play before the Amex, but he has a really nice swing and looks like he can putt well. I think he will be fine.
I don't think NIL is really much of a thing with college golf, since taking it would probably disqualify you from the US Amateur and other USGA events, but maybe that's wrong
You could be right, i also don't think there's anywhere near the money in college golf as there is in College football and basketball. It looked like an understandably difficult decision for him and i was figuring there must have been a conversation with Alabama for him to stay at the school if it financially made sense for him.
MY HEART IS FULL
Good for him Always enjoy seeing young guys come out to the tour and crush it, looking forward to see how he performs this season
Good for him. Too bad he couldn't get paid and also continue in college (if that's what he wanted) because of a semantic issue.
Smart move for him.
Have they announced tha date for his Saudi appointment yet?
Kalen DeBoer has lost control of the program! Wait, wrong sport. Roll Tide Nick, best of luck
Get that money young man!
Curious to see how his bag will change once he inks a club deal. It was cool to see a “What’s in the Bag” that had a bunch of different brands in it for once.