Nick Dunlap’s Mom Breaks Down After Son Gets His First Paycheck –‘Gotta Retire Mom’ Says Fans

“It’s definitely an honor,” said an ecstatic Nick Dunlap after Sunday. He had just etched his name alongside Xander Schauffele by winning the Barracuda Championship. The golfer became the first person since the 2024 Open Championship winner in 2017 to win twice on the PGA Tour as a rookie, the first of which came at the American Express. And his mother was especially exhilarated at the iconic win.

A video was shared by the PGA Tour’s official handle on their Instagram page, showcasing a touching phone call between Dunlap and his mother, Charlene Dunlap. The exchange was heartwarming as his mother expressed her pride in her son. “What an amazing round,” exclaimed the athlete’s mother before her voice cracked, “You know, you’ve worked so hard over the last several months to get back where you were before the AmEx. How awesome.“

Meanwhile, all that the 2-time PGA Tour champ could muster up to say was “I appreciate it, Thank you!” before asking his parents if they were coming next week. “I am going to tell my boss I’m taking next week off,” replied Charlene Dunlap as she excitedly announced, “I’m coming out to 3M.” Truly a heartwarming conversation between the parent and son.

The peculiar scoring system at the Barracuda Championship awards two points for birdies and five for eagles while deducting points for bogeys. As a result of 24 birdies, one eagle, and four bogeys, the golfer was able to card a total of +49, beating the likes of Vince Whaley and Patrick Fishburn, who finished T2 and T3, respectively. Despite the impressive performance, what grabbed the community’s attention was the emotional conversation he had with his mother after the victory that helped him earn his first paycheck, a whopping $720,000 (remember how he had won the first event as an amateur?).

Netizens worry for Nick Dunlap following his Barracuda Championship win
As soon as the final putt dropped at the American Express, an emotional Charlene Dunlap rushed to her son and gave him a long hug. The proud mother had also done the same at the 123rd U.S. Amateur when he emerged victorious. A follower couldn’t help but point out the heartwarming moments, commenting, “Mom always be there for her kids,” while another urged the golfer to retire his mother, “Gotta retire Mom now!”

The golfer is known for maintaining a calm attitude on the greens. Even at the American Express, Nick Dunlap let himself go only after the final putt on the last hole. The stoic demeanor faded, replaced by pumping, shouting, and an emotional reunion with his family. This time, his close ones weren’t physically with him, and he put up a strong face even while talking with his mother. A couple of fans pointed out the same while commenting, “Is he okay? I really hope he is.” Another follower didn’t worry too much but teased the golfer, “Why he gotta show so much emotion.”