Dunlap shoots 60 in search of PGA Tour’s first amateur victory since 1991

University of Alabama sophomore Nick Dunlap fired a 12-under 60 to take a three-shot lead over Sam Burns at The American Express on Saturday, matching the lowest round by an amateur in PGA Tour history and surging into position for the first victory by a non-professional in 33 years.

Justin Thomas shot 61 and was four shots back of Dunlap, 20, who moved to 27-under 189 on the Coachella Valley tourney’s three generous courses.

With 10 birdies and an eagle in his aggressive, accurate round, Dunlap matched then-amateur Patrick Cantlay’s 60 at the 2011 Travelers Championship. Dunlap’s score to par was the best ever by an amateur; Cantlay was 10 under at par-70 TPC River Highlands.

“The putter felt so good,” Dunlap said. “The hole looked like a funnel.”

Only seven amateurs have won on the PGA Tour since 1945, and only four since 1950. The last to do it was Phil Mickelson, who won the Tucson Open in 1991 as a 20-yearold Arizona State junior.

McIlroy roars into contention

Rory McIlroy surged into contention at the Dubai Desert Classic by finishing off a 9-under 63 with an eagle on the final hole that left him two shots behind leader Cameron Young.

The No. 2-ranked McIlroy, the defending champion, started the day 10 strokes behind Young. But he made four straight birdies from the seventh hole and then rolled in a 45-foot eagle putt from off the green at 18.

Ko takes 2-shot lead

Lydia Ko moved closer to her first victory in 14 months, shooting a 4-under 68 on Saturday to take a two-shot lead into the final round of the LPGA Tour’s season-opening Tournament of Champions.

Ko, 26, is seeking her 20th career victory and first since the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship in 2022.