2024 American Express money: What happens to purse if amateur Nick Dunlap wins

After four action-packed days in Palm Springs, Calif., we’ve finally reached the last round of play at the 2024 American Express. Below, find everything you need to know about tournament money, including total payout, tournament purse, and of course, winner’s share.

American Express final round preview

Well, well, well — the third week of the 2024 PGA Tour season already has us on the brink of golf history. On Sunday, amateur Nick Dunlap — a college sophomore — will attempt to do the unthinkable: winning a PGA Tour event as an amateur. Dunlap enters Sunday at the American Express with a considerable head start, clinging to a three-stroke 54-hole lead over Sam Burns and Justin Thomas after a record-tying 12-under 60 on Saturday, the lowest single-round score for an amateur since Patrick Cantlay’s identical score at the Travelers Championship in 2011. The two scores are tied for the lowest since at least 1983.

A victory on Sunday would put Dunlap, already the first golfer since Tiger Woods to win both the U.S. Junior Amateur and U.S. Amateur, in rarified golf air. The 20-year-old University of Alabama star would be the first pro since Phil Mickelson in 1991 to win a PGA Tour event as an amateur, a feat rarely even flirted with in the modern golf era.

Thomas, a fellow member of the Tide, will attempt to stop Dunlap’s chase for history. A victory for him would be his first since the 2022 PGA Championship, and offer the chance at a refresh victory after a disastrous 2023. His performance on Saturday was sparkling, including a lip-out for a hole-in-one, and his swing looks as easy and confident as it has in some time. Thomas and Burns, Dunlap’s more experienced SEC brethren, are a dangerous pairing to chase a 20-year-old.

Of course, Dunlap’s potential victory presents some interest financially. As an amateur, he cannot collect on the American Express’ $1.5 million winner’s check, meaning he will be forced to forfeit the money. Fortunately for the others in the field in Palm Springs, the cash doesn’t disappear into the ether. Should Dunlap win, the money would simply move down to the next player, meaning Thomas, Burns, or whoever finishes second will collect the full $1.5 million check.

If you’re looking for more info on how that payout would be structured, look no further. Below is the complete payout information, including winner’s share, for the American Express’ $8.4 million purse; you can catch the action this afternoon beginning at 4 p.m. ET on Golf Channel.

American Express payout information, winner’s share

1. $1.512 million
2. $915,600
3. $579,600
4. $411,600
5. $344,400
6. $304,500
7. $283,500
8. $262,500
9. $245,700
10. $228,900
11. $212,100
12. $195,300
13. $178,500
14. $161,700
15. $153,300
16. $144,900
17. $136,500
18. $128,100
19. $119,700
20. $111,300
21. $102,900
22. $94,500
23. $87,780
24. $81,060
25. $74,340
26. $67,620
27. $65,100
28. $62,580
29. $60,060
30. $57,540
31. $55,020
32. $52,500
33. $49,980
34. $47,880
35. $45,780
36. $43,680
37. $41,580
38. $39,900
39. $38,220
40. $36,540
41. $34,860
42. $33,180
43. $31,500
44. $29,820
45. $28,140
46. $26,460
47. $24,780
48. $23,436
49. $22,260
50. $21,588
51. $21,084
52. $20,580
53. $20,244
54. $19,908
55. $19,740
56. $19,573
57. $19,404
58. $19,236
59. $19,068
60. $18,900
61. $18,732
62. $18,564
63. $18,396
64. $18,228
65. $18,060

James Colgan

Golf.com Editor

James Colgan is a news and features editor at GOLF, writing stories for the website and magazine. He manages the Hot Mic, GOLF’s media vertical, and utilizes his on-camera experience across the brand’s platforms. Prior to joining GOLF, James graduated from Syracuse University, during which time he was a caddie scholarship recipient (and astute looper) on Long Island, where he is from. He can be reached at james.colgan@golf.com.