Nick Dunlap records extraordinary 19-shot turnaround after nightmarish opening round at the Masters

CNN - Apr 12th, 2025

Nick Dunlap, a 21-year-old American golfer, achieved a remarkable 19-shot improvement at the Masters, moving from an 18-over-par 90 to a one-under-par performance in the second round. Despite this historic turnaround, Dunlap missed the cut with a total 17-over score. His under-par round featured four birdies and only late bogeys, but his struggles with the driver persisted, choosing to prioritize accuracy over distance with a 3-wood. Dunlap's response to the round was mixed, feeling frustration and anger but also acknowledging the learning experience.

Dunlap's performance highlights the ups and downs of a promising young golfer whose early career achievements have drawn comparisons to legends like Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods. Despite winning two PGA Tour titles last season, including as an amateur, Dunlap has yet to make the cut in his first six majors as a professional. His journey reflects the challenges of professional golf, balancing moments of success with periods of intense difficulty. As he prepares for the RBC Heritage, Dunlap remains determined to overcome the ongoing issues in his game.

Golf Masters Tournament Nick Dunlap Professional Golf Sports Turnaround

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RATING

6.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article effectively captures the dramatic turnaround in Nick Dunlap's performance at the Masters, providing a compelling narrative of resilience and personal struggle. While it excels in clarity and timeliness, the story would benefit from more diverse sources and greater transparency regarding its claims. By focusing primarily on Dunlap's perspective, it offers an engaging but somewhat limited view of the broader context within professional golf. The article's appeal lies in its emotional depth and relevance to sports fans, though it lacks the broader impact or controversy to engage a wider audience.

Accuracy

The story provides a detailed account of Nick Dunlap's performance at the Masters, with specific scores and historical context. The claim that Dunlap's 19-shot improvement is the largest at the Masters since 1936 matches the factual record. However, the story does not cite sources for some claims, such as comparisons to Mickelson and Woods, which could benefit from additional verification. The quotes attributed to Dunlap are consistent with his public statements, adding to the story's credibility.

Balance

The story primarily focuses on Dunlap's perspective and emotions, providing a personal angle on his performance. While it mentions his struggles and achievements, it lacks viewpoints from other golfers, analysts, or commentators who could provide a broader context. The focus on Dunlap's personal journey provides depth but limits the range of perspectives.

Clarity

The article is well-structured, with a clear narrative of Dunlap's performance and emotional journey. The language is straightforward, making it accessible to readers. However, the lack of context for some claims, such as historical comparisons, could confuse readers unfamiliar with golf statistics.

Source quality

The article does not explicitly mention sources for its claims, particularly regarding Dunlap's historical comparisons and career achievements. While the quotes from Dunlap add credibility, the lack of diverse sources or expert opinions weakens the overall reliability. Including input from golf analysts or referencing official tournament records could enhance source quality.

Transparency

The article does not disclose its sources or methodology for verifying claims, which affects transparency. While it presents Dunlap's quotes clearly, the basis for historical comparisons and career achievements is not explained. Greater transparency about how information was gathered and verified would improve the article's credibility.