Nick Dunlap Posts Shocking 90 in Masters Debut, Capping a Historic Rise with a Tough Round

Nick Dunlap Posts Shocking 90 in Masters Debut, Capping a Historic Rise with a Tough Round.


AUGUSTA, Ga. — After a meteoric rise in the world of golf that saw him become the first amateur in over three decades to win on the PGA Tour, Nick Dunlap faced an entirely different kind of challenge at Augusta National. In his highly anticipated debut at the 2025 Masters Tournament, Dunlap carded a stunning 90 in the opening round — a sobering reminder of how daunting the iconic course can be, even for rising stars.

A Promising Start to 2025

Dunlap entered the Masters with immense promise. Earlier this year, he captured the attention of the golf world by winning The American Express, becoming the first amateur to win a PGA Tour event since Phil Mickelson in 1991. The University of Alabama sophomore quickly became one of the most talked-about players in the sport, earning widespread praise and an invitation to Augusta.

A Rough Day at Augusta National

However, the course that has humbled legends showed no mercy to the 20-year-old on Thursday. Dunlap’s round unraveled quickly and ultimately ended with a score of 90 — the highest round recorded at the Masters since 2005. The difficult conditions, firm greens, and swirling winds combined to expose every crack in his game on the day.

“I just didn’t have it today,” Dunlap said afterward. “I tried to stay patient, but Augusta is a place that doesn’t give you any room to recover if you’re even a little off.”

His scorecard included multiple double bogeys, and he struggled particularly around the greens, where Augusta’s undulating surfaces proved unforgiving. Despite his struggles, Dunlap remained composed in post-round interviews, acknowledging the difficulty and using the experience as a learning opportunity.

Reactions and Perspective

Fans and analysts were quick to show support for Dunlap, understanding that Augusta National can be a brutal test for even the most seasoned pros. The last amateur to face such a tough debut was Billy Joe Patton in 1954, who also struggled despite having a highly anticipated entry into the tournament.

Veteran players and broadcasters pointed out that many Masters champions — including Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth — have experienced tough early rounds at Augusta before finding their footing in later years.

A Lesson for the Future

While the 90 was far from what Dunlap or fans hoped for, it’s unlikely to define his career. At just 20 years old, he’s already achieved what few amateurs have in the modern era, and his future in the professional ranks remains bright.

“I’ll be back,” Dunlap said confidently, hinting at both his resilience and the potential for future success on golf’s biggest stages.

His first Masters round may have been a humbling experience, but it’s also the kind of chapter that builds legends — a reminder that greatness is often forged not in victory but in how one responds to adversity.

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