WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Reigning US Amateur champion Nick Dunlap, the first amateur since 1991 to win a PGA Tour event, said Thursday he will turn professional and accept PGA Tour membership through 2026.

Four days after capturing the PGA American Express title at La Quinta, California, the 20-year-old American sophomore on the University of Alabama golf team announced his decision at the school.

"It was the easiest, hardest decision that I've ever had to make," Dunlap said.

"I was very fortunate that everyone had the same opinion about it and my teammates were awesome and very supportive. It goes back to the family that Alabama has. They were very supportive and wanted me to chase my dreams."

Dunlap plans to make his pro debut at next week's PGA event at Pebble Beach and plans to keep living in Alabama as he explores PGA Tour life.

"It's pretty surreal," Dunlap said. "But it's also scary. There are a lot of changes."

After going home empty-handed from the California desert instead of taking home the $1.5 million top prize because he played as an amateur, Dunlap will now collect.

After going home empty-handed from the California desert instead of taking home the $1.5 million top prize because he played as an amateur, Dunlap will now collect paychecks from PGA events over at least three seasons.

That includes entries at this year's Masters, PGA Championship and US Open.

"A golden ticket," Dunlap called it.

Dunlap, who became World Amateur number one after his triumph, had qualified for this week's PGA event at Torrey Pines with the victory but dropped out, saying he needed time to consider his options about turning pro or staying an amateur.

He made the decision on Tuesday and said he told his teammates first.

"I wanted to play pro golf and it was a golden opportunity to do that, with what the PGA Tour has provided," a tearful Dunlap said.