VIDEO: Alabama’s Nick Dunlap Wins Epic Northeast Amateur
University of Alabama rising sophomore Nick Dunlap dropped a 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to win the Northeast Amateur on Saturday afternoon at Wannamoisett Country Club.
“If feels great. I found out I was playing, I actually wasn’t going to play, it was a lot to get from LA to here, but I had a couple of guys convince me. I heard the golf course was really good and the tournament was unbelievable. I’m glad I went and played,” said Dunlap after the round.
Surratt and Dunlap were tied going into the 18th hole with Surratt on the far left side and Dunlap behind the flag, just on the fringe.
Surratt left his birdie putt short, meaning Dunlap had all eyes on him.
His thoughts over the putt, “make it.” And that’s what he did.
Dunlap’s putt never left the hole and dropped right in the cup giving him the win.
Back 9 Come Back
Dunlap trailed Surratt by three shots heading into the back nine, before rallying.
“I was just sticking to my game plan. I played well on the front nine, I just had two three-putts. I figured if I could get the tee box, hit a few fairways and make putts, golf is really hard.
Surratt would bogey the 12th, 13th and 14th holes, including a lost ball on 14.
“I felt like my weaknesses were shown down the stretch and I’ll learn from that,” Surratt said afterward.
Dunlap would birdie the 14th hole to tie him for the lead.
They would remain tied until 18 when Dunlap sank a birdie putt from the back of the green.
“Caleb is an amazing player, he has done a lot of great things. I’m just fortunate to be standing here.”
Dunlap wasn’t sure if he was going to play this year, but now, he is certainly going to be back next year.