This American golfer earned $1.5 million in a tournament — but here’s why he couldn’t collect the prize.

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Life can move at lightning speed when you’re a young golf prodigy — fast enough that even a massive payday might slip right through your hands.

At the beginning of last year, Nick Dunlap was a finance student at the University of Alabama, when he found himself on the verge of earning an unimaginable $1,512,000. He won it — but couldn’t keep it.

“It definitely stings a bit,” Dunlap told CNN Sports, reflecting on his stellar showing at the PGA Tour’s American Express tournament in California, where he played under a sponsor’s exemption.

Few expected what came next: Dunlap stunned the golf world by becoming the PGA Tour’s second-youngest winner in 90 years and the first amateur to claim a title since Phil Mickelson in 1991. But the historic win came with a catch — as an amateur, he had to forgo the prize money.

“At the time, I didn’t really grasp how much $1.5 million was,” he said with a laugh. “It didn’t hurt as much then as it does now. But I still got what I really wanted — the trophy.”

Dunlap’s meteoric rise shouldn’t have surprised anyone who’d followed his amateur journey. Not long before, he had joined Tiger Woods as the only male golfer to win both the US Junior Amateur and the US Amateur. Then, in a feat that even Woods never accomplished, Dunlap captured another PGA Tour win later that same season — this time as a pro and for a paycheck. No one had ever done both in one season.

Despite golf’s refined image, Dunlap likens himself to an adrenaline seeker. “I just love to compete,” he said. “I miss it when I’m home. I miss being in the chase and feeling those nerves. My parents are both very competitive, so I guess I get it from them!”

He didn’t stick around to finish college. After his big win in California, Dunlap left school behind and turned pro. The transition wasn’t seamless: over the next six months, he managed only one top-10 finish and missed the cut in all three majors he entered.

Still, by the end of his rookie season, he’d banked $3 million. If anything was challenging, it was adjusting to life off the course.

“It was really about learning how to be an adult,” he shared. “In college, everything’s mapped out for you. I skipped a few steps, and I knew there’d be bumps. Getting a place in South Florida, figuring out taxes, accountants, opening bank accounts — that was the biggest learning curve.”

Some veterans on tour tease Dunlap about how young he is, and in many ways, he’s in no rush to grow up. “I’m super hard on myself, and being out here can be really stressful,” he admitted. “But I still try to stay a kid at heart.”

Now ranked among the world’s top 50 golfers, Dunlap tries not to let the pressure get to him. “I played in a Pop Stroke Putt Putt championship with a buddy recently,” he said. “I try to keep it fun too.”

Highly driven but private about his goals, Dunlap is clearly aiming for success at the majors — though he’s yet to make the cut in his first five appearances. His Masters debut was a mix of awe and misfortune.

“I’ve never felt nervous during a practice round before, but there’s just something about Augusta,” he recalled. “Ever since I first picked up a club, I dreamed of that moment.”

Playing alongside defending champion Jon Rahm and former US Open winner Matt Fitzpatrick, Dunlap’s opening shot veered far left into a crowd.

“I expected to be nervous,” he said with a chuckle. “But then I hook my first tee shot and hit some guy in the head. He’s bleeding everywhere, and I’m just like, ‘Well, great start.’” He was cut from the tournament the next day.

Despite that rocky beginning, the future is bright for Dunlap — and he wouldn’t change a thing.

“This is everything I ever wanted,” he said. “Playing golf, getting paid for it, traveling the world, seeing legendary courses, and competing with the best in the game — it’s definitely a dream come true.”