Dunlap Fires 64 to Lead World Wide Technology
Nick Dunlap opened the World Wide Technology Championship with an 8-under 64 after switching to a longer driver.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Golf
Nick Dunlap shot an 8-under 64 in the first round of the World Wide Technology Championship at El Cardonal at Diamante in Mexico. He made nine birdies and one bogey while hitting 13 of 14 fairways.
Why it matters
Dunlap ranks last on Tour in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee, making his fairway accuracy in the opening round a notable reversal. His card is secure through 2027 following two PGA Tour victories as an amateur, though he has had only two weeks of above-average driving over the last two seasons.
Dunlap's opening 64 included gains in every strokes-gained category, with 138 feet of putts rolled in the first round. His 13-of-14 fairway mark stands in sharp contrast to a season-long Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee ranking that sits last on Tour.
The players
Nick Dunlap
A 22-year-old American professional golfer who won two PGA Tour events as an amateur and is currently struggling with driving accuracy on Tour.
The details
Dunlap spent the early week adjusting his driver length before the event and converted two birdies from inside eight feet on Thursday. The round was his third top-25 result of the season, following a finish in Bermuda.
Timeline
Dunlap won two PGA Tour events as an amateur, the most recent of which came in 2024.
Dunlap shot his 64 in the first round of the World Wide Technology Championship on November 5, 2026.
Dunlap's PGA Tour card is secure through the 2027 season.
Season Trajectory
Dunlap's recovery in driving accuracy matters for his standing on Tour, where Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee is a key measure of performance. A sustained improvement would shift his season narrative after a campaign defined by inconsistent tee shots.
Dunlap's strong start can shift fantasy rankings and betting outlooks for the remainder of the tournament. Fans tracking his driving metrics can watch whether his longer driver setup holds through the weekend rounds.
The takeaway
Dunlap's opening round shows that adjustments to equipment can quickly change results in an area where a player has struggled. Watching whether that improvement holds across the weekend will reveal more about his form.
Further reading
Explore more golf coverage to follow Nick Dunlap's season and the broader PGA Tour landscape.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pgatour.
