Golfers often say that a bad day on the course is better than a good day at work, but what if golf is your work? Professional golfer Nick Dunlap experienced a tough day at the office on Thursday during the opening round of the Masters Tournament. Dunlap struggled, shooting a disappointing 18 over par at Augusta National Golf Club. This performance not only placed him in last on the leaderboard, but also left him 11 strokes behind the nearest competitor. Unfortunately, this poor showing at the prestigious tournament marked a regrettable moment in Masters history for the 2024 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year.
Despite his previous successes as a two-time PGA Tour winner and highly regarded young player in the sport, Dunlap’s round at the Masters was one to forget. With seven bogeys, four double bogeys, and a triple bogey on his scorecard, his struggles were evident. However, there was a brief moment of respite when he sank a crucial 14-foot putt on the 16th hole. The road ahead for Dunlap is challenging, as he faces an uphill battle to make the cut for the remaining rounds of the tournament.
Although a tough day for Dunlap, his performance resonated with amateur golfers who could relate to the struggles on the course. Social media buzzed with jokes and comments, highlighting the shared experiences of golfers facing tough rounds. Despite the setbacks, Dunlap’s ability to avoid three-putting throughout the round was noted, showcasing his resilience in the face of adversity. As the tournament progresses, Dunlap will aim to bounce back and showcase his true potential on the course.
Credit to Nick Dunlap for completing the round despite being 11-over through 12 holes and facing the temptation to withdraw due to a potential “back injury.” It’s commendable that he finished with a score of 90, even though he ended up at the bottom of the leaderboard. The Fore Play golf podcast by Barstool Sports also recognized the difficulty of The Masters tournament.
Users on Ways to Golf’s post had humorous reactions to Dunlap’s performance, with one calling him “The People’s Champion” and another humorously pointing out that an average golfer might shoot 180. The article lists some of the worst first-round scores in Masters history, with Dunlap’s 90 making the list.
The original article first appeared on USA TODAY, with contributions from Jason Anderson.
