PGA Tour: What to know about amateur Nick Dunlap before you bet on him

This may or may not dissuade bettors from putting money down on Dunlap, but it should be noted that he can't receive any prize money if he wins — as was the case at The American Express.

"Despite besting a host of pro golfers, he won’t be able to take home the $1,512,000 prize due to his amateur status," CNN explained. "Instead, runner-up [Christiaan] Bezuidenhout will receive the first-place prize. The three players who tied for third place will be paid as if they finished in a three-way tie for second place."

Dunlap can in fact turn pro after winning a PGA Tour event, the Tour's website explains. In fact, he can turn pro at any point this season and have automatic membership through the 2026 season. If he decides to maintain his amateur status through the campaign, he then has 30 days following the end of the season to go pro. 

Things get a little tricky when it comes to exemptions for major events, like the Masters. He currently has exemptions into the Masters, U.S. Open and The Open Championship because he won the 2023 U.S. Amateur, and his entry into the Masters and The Open "is contingent on him maintaining his amateur status." However, "if he turns pro, his win at The American Express makes him exempt into the Masters and the PGA Championship." Plus, "the U.S. Open allows the U.S. Amateur champion to play as a professional."

Dunlap is reportedly still undecided on whether he wants to turn pro this season — which could be why you won't currently see odds listed for him at the Masters. However, it's worth keeping an eye on how he plays in his next event.

If Dunlap continues to exceed expectations and turns pro, he may be worth a more significant investment this PGA Tour season.