Dunlap finished the year in the FedEx Cup playoffs and comes to The American Express ranked 32nd in the world. At the Sony Open in Hawaii last week, Dunlap tied for 10th. For Dunlap, returning to the scene of his breakthrough victory means reliving old memories.

In 2024, Nick Dunlap went from a college golfer having fun with his teammates at the University of Alabama to a surprise winner as an amateur at The American Express in January to turning pro in February and winning another PGA event in July. It was a stunning year full of firsts for the now 21-year-old native of Alabama.

The 17-year-old Nashville native, already etched in golf’s record books, draws inspiration from Nick Dunlap’s victory at La Quinta last year.