Nick Dunlap, a 20-year-old amateur, made history by winning the American Express on Tour, becoming the first amateur to win since Phil Mickelson in 1991.
Justin Thomas played a supportive role for Nick Dunlap during the final round, offering encouragement and lightening the mood before crucial shots.
Despite a disappointing finish, Sam Burns showed promise with solid iron play, putting skills, and strong driving abilities.
Rory McIlroy's victory at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, coupled with his strong mentality and skills, suggests a promising year ahead, potentially even a major-winning year.
Deep dives
Sam Burns' struggles on 17 and 18
Despite a strong performance throughout the tournament, Sam Burns faltered on the 17th and 18th holes, hitting shots into the water and making double bogeys on both holes.
JT's supportive role for Nick Dunlap
Justin Thomas played a supportive role for amateur golfer Nick Dunlap throughout the final round, providing encouragement and lightening the mood before key shots.
Sam Burns' overall game
While Sam Burns had a disappointing finish to the tournament, his overall game showed promise and improvements. His iron play and putting were solid, and he demonstrated strong driving skills.
Expectations for Sam Burns' future
Despite the disappointing finish, there is still much excitement for Sam Burns' future. His improved game and potential for future wins make him a player to watch on the PGA Tour.
Rory McIlroy shows impressive form at Dubai Desert Classic
Rory McIlroy displayed a strong performance at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, finishing at 14-under and claiming victory. Despite shooting three rounds of 70, his standout moment came with a remarkable 63. With the rust now knocked off, McIlroy's performance suggests a promising year ahead, potentially even a major-winning year. Having showcased his ability to stay in contention and deliver when it matters, McIlroy's strong mentality and skills make him a formidable contender.
Understanding the art of reading greens
Reading greens in golf involves a calibration process that takes into account the speed of the greens. Players adjust the distance between their arm and fingers based on this calibration. Once on the green, golfers rely on a combination of feel and their feet to assess the slope of the green. They then make adjustments in their putting stroke to accommodate the slope. It requires practice, experience, and a good understanding of the greens to accurately navigate putts.
Looking ahead to the upcoming Farmers Insurance Open
With the Farmers Insurance Open on the horizon, the focus shifts to how players will perform in the coming weeks. Trevor Immelman, a former pro turned broadcaster, can offer insights into the current state of the game and the upcoming major tournaments. As players strive to peak their games leading up to Augusta, discussions will revolve around potential contenders and players who are in form. The tournament at Torrey Pines will provide an opportunity to assess the overall state of play and gauge the outlook for the remainder of the season.
Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme celebrate a historic day in golf: 20-year-old Nick Dunlap, who is currently a sophomore at the University of Alabama, won the American Express as an amateur, the first time an amateur has won on Tour since Phil Mickelson in 1991. Smylie recounts what it's been like watching Nick grow up in Birmingham, and what an incredible incubator of golf talent that city's been with the concurrent rise of Vanderbilt junior Gordon Sargent. SK and CH also discuss whether it's even a question if Nick will turn pro given all the immediate status that comes with a Tour win.
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