Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
Nick Dunlap Endures Challenging Opening Round at Masters Tournament
American golfer Nick Dunlap faced a difficult start at the Masters Tournament, recording an 18-over-par score on the first day at Augusta National. This score was notably higher than any other player’s in the field for the opening round. In his second appearance at the prestigious major championship, the young contender struggled, accumulating four double bogeys and a triple bogey, significantly impacting his overall standing. His performance immediately became a talking point at the Masters Tournament, highlighting the course’s demanding nature and the challenges faced even by accomplished players.
Dunlap’s Scorecard: A Round to Forget
Dunlap officially posted a score of 90 for his first round. While disappointing for the young player, this score does not represent the highest single round in Masters history. That less-desired record is held by Charles Kunkle, who shot a 95 in 1956. Dunlap’s day commenced with a bogey on the first hole. He then managed the first of only six pars throughout his round. This was followed by two further bogeys before encountering a triple bogey on the par-5 fifth hole.
Fluctuations Throughout the Round
The University of Alabama alumnus, aged 21, then achieved his most consistent stretch of the day, completing three consecutive holes without dropping a shot. However, this respite was short-lived as he incurred further setbacks at the ninth hole. After securing a par on the tenth, Dunlap then recorded back-to-back double bogeys, further inflating his score.
Struggles Continue on Back Nine
Additional bogeys on the 13th and 14th holes added to the 2024 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year’s mounting strokes. He managed a final par on the 15th hole. The concluding stretch of his round proved equally challenging, as he finished with a double bogey, followed by a bogey, and then another double bogey on the 18th. This sequence of holes resulted in him concluding his first day at the Masters 18 shots over par.
Unwanted Historical Context
The reigning U.S. Amateur champion became the first golfer under the age of 50 to card a 90 or worse at the Masters since 1956, placing his round in an unfavorable historical context. Despite the high score, it’s noteworthy that Dunlap, a two-time PGA Tour winner, avoided any three-putts during his round. His putting statistics indicated an average of 1.83 putts per hole, even as he navigated the Augusta National course in Georgia to a score of 90.
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Contrast to Previous Success
This setback may pale in comparison to the contrasting emotions Dunlap experienced just over a year prior. His victory at The American Express tournament came with a substantial prize of £1.1 million. However, due to his amateur status at the time as a finance student in the United States, he was ineligible to receive the prize money and ultimately left the event without financial gain.
“It stings a little bit,” Dunlap admitted to CNN a year later, reflecting on the situation after receiving an invitation to play in events via a sponsor’s exemption. “At the time, I don’t think I really knew what $1.5 million was. It wasn’t as hard as it is now. But ultimately, I got what I wanted in the end: a trophy.”
Path Forward After Disappointing Round
Dunlap was able to compensate for that earlier financial forfeiture by earning £2.3m in his inaugural year as a professional golfer. He entered the Masters ranked among the top 50 players globally. However, recording a 90 at Augusta National is likely to remain a prominent, albeit unwanted, memory for the 21-year-old. The round serves as a stark reminder of the demanding nature and unforgiving characteristics of the Augusta National course, lessons keenly felt by even the most talented golfers.