Nick Dunlap Makes History with 90 at the Masters: A Tough Day for the Young Golfer

The Masters Tournament is always a spectacle for golf fans, with the world’s best golfers competing for one of the sport's most coveted titles. This year, however, it was not just the leaderboard making headlines. A young golfer, Nick Dunlap, made history for a rather unfortunate reason. On Thursday, 10 April 2025, Dunlap shot a jaw-dropping 90, becoming the first player in a decade to fail to break 90 at the Masters and the youngest to do so.

A Rocky Start to the Masters

Nick Dunlap, a 21-year-old rising star, has been a name to watch in professional golf since he made waves last year. He had already made a mark by becoming the first amateur golfer since Phil Mickelson to win on the PGA Tour with his victory at The American Express. After a successful year, he turned professional and won again in July at the Barracuda Championship, but 2025 has proven to be a challenging year for the young golfer.

Dunlap’s appearance at the Masters marked his second time at Augusta National, and he felt more relaxed than on his debut. "Yeah, just able to enjoy it, I’d say a little bit more," Dunlap said in a pre-tournament interview. "I think I was a little bit more stressed out and a little bit more tense last year."

However, the stress came quickly on Thursday. Dunlap’s opening tee shot veered into the pine straw on the first hole, leading to a bogey. From there, things spiraled downward. He struggled to find his rhythm throughout the day, and by the time he reached the 18th hole, his scorecard was littered with big numbers. He dropped five shots over the final three holes, finishing with a brutal 18-over 90.

The Significance of Dunlap’s 90

Nick Dunlap's 90 at the Masters is noteworthy for several reasons. First, it marks the first time in a decade that a player has failed to break 90 at the prestigious tournament. Ben Crenshaw was the last player to do so in 2015, when he shot a 91 at 63. At just 21 years old, Dunlap is now the youngest player in Masters history to post a score above 90.

This achievement puts him in a rare and rather unfortunate group. The list of golfers who have shot in the 90s at the Masters includes a few well-known names, most of whom were at the tail end of their careers. Doug Ford and Horton Smith, both Masters champions, posted scores starting with a 9 in their later years. Nick Dunlap, however, is different—he’s just at the beginning of his career.

While his performance on Thursday was undoubtedly disappointing, it’s important to remember that golf is a game of highs and lows, and even the best players experience tough rounds. This difficult day doesn’t define Dunlap’s potential or future in the sport.

A Tough Day on the Course

Nick Dunlap’s 90 was not due to a single bad hole but rather a series of unfortunate shots. On the par-4 third, he semi-shanked his tee shot, dropping a shot. On the par-4 fifth, another errant shot forced him to take two attempts to escape the trees, leading to a double bogey. His troubles continued on the back nine, with errant shots finding the water at holes 11, 12, 13, and 16.

The most frustrating part of Dunlap's day was how it unfolded: He had a chance to break 90 with a bogey on the 18th hole, but after a poor drive and several mishaps, he ended up with a double bogey to cap off his day. Despite the tough round, Dunlap’s attitude on the course remained composed. His playing partners, Robert MacIntyre and Billy Horschel, spoke highly of him after the round, noting that Dunlap’s attitude was solid throughout the day. “He didn’t get in the way. He didn’t lay off anything that was going to affect his two other playing partners,” MacIntyre remarked. “I feel for him today, but he’ll come back.”

The Mental Aspect of Golf

Golf is a sport that requires mental fortitude, especially when faced with challenges like the ones Nick Dunlap experienced. The Masters is one of the most pressure-filled tournaments in the world, and a bad round can take a mental toll on any player. For a young golfer like Dunlap, who is still adjusting to the demands of professional golf, a round like this can be particularly tough to shake off.

However, the actual test of a golfer’s character lies in how they bounce back from challenging situations. Dunlap has already shown resilience in his young career, and this rough round at the Masters will likely be just a temporary setback in his journey. Like many great players before him, Dunlap will learn from his mistakes, refine his game, and come back stronger.

The Road Ahead for Nick Dunlap

Despite his challenging start at the Masters, Dunlap has already proven that he has the talent to compete at the highest level. He was the first amateur since Mickelson to win a PGA Tour event, and he showed his potential again with his victory at the Barracuda Championship. His performance at Augusta may not have gone as planned, but it doesn’t take away from his promise as a young golfer.

Golf fans and pundits alike will be keeping a close eye on Dunlap’s future. His ability to overcome adversity will be a key factor defining his career moving forward. While Thursday’s performance at the Masters was a tough pill to swallow, Nick Dunlap’s talent and work ethic will likely carry him far in the years to come.

A Chance for a Record

Nick Dunlap still has an opportunity to make history, albeit for a more positive reason. If he were to shoot a 68 on Friday, he would set a Masters record for the most significant improvement between the first and second rounds. The current record is held by Craig Wood, who shot an 88 in the first round in 1963 before improving to a 67 in the second round. Dunlap has the chance to make a remarkable comeback, and this record would undoubtedly help redeem his tough start. 

A Humbling Experience

Nick Dunlap’s performance at the 2025 Masters may not have gone as expected, but it serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of golf. For a young golfer like Dunlap, the journey is just beginning, and while Thursday’s score will undoubtedly sting, it won’t define him. The road to success in golf is long and filled with challenges, but Dunlap has the potential to overcome them and achieve great things in the future. Golf fans will eagerly watch how he bounces back from this tough day, and we can expect to see many more strong performances from him in the years to come.

For more on how embracing strengths and uniqueness can shape success, check out Our Dramas Are Poetic, Not Bollywood Copies: Fatima Bhutto Urges Pakistan to Embrace Its Strengths.