WWT Championship R1 Leaderboard
Pos
Player
Total
T1
-11
T1
-11
T3
-8
T3
-8
T3
-8
T3
Chad Ramey
-8
T3
Andrew Putnam
-8
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Nick Dunlap silenced his critics in emphatic fashion with a stunning 11-under-par 61 to grab a share of the first-round lead at the World Wide Technology Championship in Mexico.
The 21-year-old American, who has endured a torrid spell on the PGA Tour with four missed cuts in his last five starts, looked a different player entirely under the sun at Tiger Woods’ El Cardonal at Diamante Cabo San Lucas.
“Golf’s been very hard recently and today was the opposite of that,” said a relieved Dunlap after shooting an exceptional round of 61, his lowest ever as a pro on the PGA Tour.
“I think I hit every fairway. The fairways are pretty forgiving out here for the most part. Gave myself a ton of good iron and wedge opportunities and rolled it really, really nice.”
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It was a welcome reminder of the form that saw Dunlap burst onto the scene as a rookie last season when he captured both The American Express and Barracuda Championship titles.
His Amex triumph in January 2024 made him the first amateur to win on the PGA Tour since Phil Mickelson back in 1991.
But golf has a cruel way of levelling things out.
Since those headline-making victories, the 2023 US Amateur champion has slipped sharply down the rankings — from 32nd in the world to 138th — and sits just 145th in the FedEx Cup Fall standings.
The good news? Dunlap’s Tour status is secure through 2026.
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Dunlap was ridiculed by a number of golf fans when stumbling to a dismal 18-over par 90 in the first round of The Masters in April.
Yes, a 29-shot difference on his opening round at the World Wide Technology Championship on Thursday.
Off the back of 12 missed cuts on the PGA Tour this season, the young star admitted the last few months have been a grind.
But he’s trying to stay calm.
“It just has, it’s a hard game,” he told reporters when asked why his form had dipped.
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“Kind of seems like if something can go wrong it has recently. Just try not to make it personal in a way and just kind of come out here and try to have as much fun as I can. We’re in a pretty cool spot.”
Dunlap’s relaxed mindset clearly paid off in Los Cabos on Thursday, where calm winds and generous fairways set the stage for fireworks.
The American hit every single one of his fairways on day one at Woods’ course.
Dunlap peppered flagsticks all day and poured in putts from every angle — a vintage display of confidence from a player rediscovering his spark.
Yet his 61 wasn’t enough to take the outright lead.
Finland’s Sami Valimaki matched Dunlap’s effort with an equally brilliant 11-under of his own.
Like Dunlap, the 27-year-old has been battling for consistency and began the week in 103rd on the FedEx Cup standings — just outside the top 100 players who will retain full PGA Tour status after the RSM Classic later this month.
“I don’t know. I mean, just struggling,” admitted Valimaki, who at least has his DP World Tour card secured through 2026.
“I mean, it’s not the best pressure but it’s how it is. At least I made my card back in Europe so at least I have something over there, so I feel like that gives you a little extra freedom. Of course you want to play here, but just have to play good these last three.”
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Both Dunlap and Valimaki will enter Friday’s second round tied at the top as they both look to rediscover their touch after tough seasons.
Elsewhere, pre-tournament favourite and U.S. Ryder Cup star Ben Griffin opened with a composed 7-under 65, keeping himself firmly in the mix heading into the weekend.
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