Nick Saban, Justin Thomas Encouraging Alabama Golfer Nick Dunlap Amidst Success

Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban and former Crimson Tide golfer Justin Thomas are rallying behind one of the game’s brightest young stars.

Beyond his illustrious career as the head football coach at Alabama, Nick Saban is widely recognized for his avid interest in golf, highlighting a lesser-known side of Saban that transcends the gridiron.

Whether he’s seizing moments for a few swings at the golf team’s practice facility or showcasing his prowess at The Regions Traditions Celebrity Tournament, Saban’s avidity for golf adds a dynamic and leisurely facet to his hard-nosed persona while underscoring the versatility of his interests.

Saban’s ability to spot talent remains unwavering as he moves with ease from the football field to the golf course. The most recent potential in Tuscaloosa that drew his attention? Golfer Nick Dunlap is a sophomore.

The American Express was won on Sunday by 20-year-old Dunlap at the PGA West golf course in California. Dunlap finished with a final score of -29, one stroke ahead of South African professional Christiaan Bezuidenhout in second place and two strokes ahead of former world No. 4 Xander Schauffele.

It was the first time in 33 years that an amateur golfer had won on the PGA Tour — with Phil Mickelson in 1991 being the most recent victor.

During the final round, Saban called into Golf Channel’s broadcast of the event as Dunlap played the back nine, reminiscing on watching the Huntsville, Ala. native’s practice sessions while lauding his fearless play style and work ethic.

“I sat and watched on one of those machines. He was hitting drivers; he must have hit 100 of them, just checking the spin on the ball,” Saban said. “He’s really a dedicated guy. He’s a hard worker, and he’s got the right disposition to play. He doesn’t seem to get flustered about anything.”

As Dunlap continued his historic march, Saban couldn’t help but admire the U.S. Junior Amateur and U.S. Amateur champion’s tenacity and skill on the course.

“Golf’s like a metaphor in life; you’ve got to be able to play the next shot,” Saban said. “Whether you’re in the

Hazard requires the correct temperament to play, and I believe he possesses it, even if you don’t hit a great one.

When asked what advise he would give Dunlap on the largest stage, Saban stressed the value of being present.

Regardless of what transpired on the previous shot, Saban advised concentrating on the following one. “I think the greatest way to focus is to stay focused on the process, not the result, and what you need to do to get there. It can be challenging at times to do that in our result-driven society, but I believe it is essential to success.

While Saban watched from the comfort of his home, former Alabama golfer Justin Thomas was competing on the course alongside Dunlap, his protege.

As Thomas carded an 11-under 61 on Saturday, the former 2013 National Champion under Jay Seawell was squarely in contention heading into Sunday, but instead found himself standing in awe of Dunlap’s record-breaking weekend.

Following his explosive third round, Thomas stated, “I wanted to try to get to 30 under this weekend.” “I had no idea that I would have to deal with a freaking college student who was shooting sixty today.”

As luck would have it, world No. 22 Sam Burns would be paired with Thomas and Dunlap in the tournament’s premier final-round pairing.

Dunlap, who had finished the day at -2, required a par on the eighteenth hole to hold off Bezuidenhout, who had finished at -28 after shooting a final round of -7. It was Thomas who broke the ice in a heated moment as he was walking up the fairway to finish his tee shot.

Moments later, Dunlap reigned victorious, drilling an eight-foot put above the hole, showing not an ounce of trepidation on his face.

After the tournament, Dunlap was quick to acknowledge the camaraderie and shared experience he felt among seasoned players, highlighting the supportive environment that contributed to his success during the week.

“Playing with Justin and Sam and Wilson [Furr], the support they gave me throughout the week helped me a lot and, like I said, it really made me feel like one of them,” Dunlap stated. “Just because I was an amateur, it didn’t mean that they treated me any differently. It was also beneficial to play several practice rounds with some of them and have an understanding of how they move around this place.”

Regarding Thomas specifically, his counsel to Dunlap was comparable to Saban’s, emphasizing the importance of being present once more, but in a new setting.

Dunlap remarked, “Justin had a lot of cool things to say.” “Even coming down the stretch, the last chip, the last putt, after I made it, it’s like, ‘Hey, man, you’re a PGA TOUR winner forever, and just let that soak in, let everything around you, the people, the moment, just take a second and let it all in.”

Dunlap will obtain regular PGA Tour winner status as a result of the victory, and he can now accept PGA Tour membership at any point during the season. He will stay a member through the 2026 season if he accepts membership. Dunlap has thirty days following the end of this season to revoke his membership for 2025.