Alabama Collegian Nick Dunlap has to be walking on air, two days after winning The American Express at La Quinta, and becoming the first amateur since Phil Mickelson in 1991 to win a PGA event. But the 20-year-old has to be a mite sad, knowing that the headline writers' nightmare, runner-up Christian Bezuidenhout, went home with the $1.512 million winner's share of the $8.4 million purse.

    Dunlap thrilled the golf world with his 29-under-par performance over the three La Quinta courses, one better than the nightmare. There was a three-way deadlock for third two strokes behind among Kevin Yu, Xander Schauffele and Justin Thomas, who each left with $310,000. 

    Among the Gators, Tyson Alexander missed the cut, which came after 54 holes, at 8 over par, Camilo Villegas tied for 62nd at 12 under par after a final-round 74 - he earned $18,564, and Billy Horschel missed the cut at 11 under par, unable to rebound enough after an opening-round 72. Seminole Daniel Berger tied for 39th and collected $34,020. 

    The Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines begins tomorrow with Alexander, Horschel and Berger in the field. Max Homa won it last year at 13 under, good for a payoff of $1,567,000, and runner-up Keegan Bradley earned $948,300.

     

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