Who Is Nick Dunlap’s Girlfriend?

Isabella Ellis was with Nick Dunlap during his final round at the 2024 American Express – here’s what we know about her

Nick Dunlap takes a tee shot during the fourth round of The American Express
Nick Dunlap is in a relationship with fellow University of Alabama student Isabella Ellis
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Amateur Nick Dunlap has been making headlines, first with his 2023 US Amateur win and then with an incredible performance at the 2024 American Express as he became the first amateur since 1991 to win a PGA Tour event. 

Joining the 20-year-old at La Quinta for his historic final round was his girlfriend Isabella Ellis. Here’s what we know about her.

Like Dunlap, Ellis hails from Alabama, but while Dunlap was born in Huntsville, Ellis is from Tuscaloosa. There, she attended Tuscaloosa Academy, where she was a varsity cheerleader.

Nowadays, she is a student at the University of Alabama, where Dunlap is a sophomore and member of the Crimson Tide men’s golf team.  

Ellis has also continued cheerleading at the university, where, according to the Tuscaloosa Academy Facebook page, she will major in nursing. Among her academic achievements so far have been the academy’s President's Student Service Award and the Outstanding Academic Excellence Award.

While it’s unclear when Ellis began dating Dunlap, she posted images of the two together at the University of Alabama’s Bryant-Denny Stadium in September 2023.

That was followed two months later with Dunlap returning the favour by posting some of his own images of the pair on his Instagram account and writing: “Capping off 23’ on a high note.”

Since then, it appears their relationship has only grown deeper, with Ellis reportedly having flown to California on the Saturday of The American Express to be with him during the final round. 

Nick Dunlap with family members and his girlfriend Isabella Ellis after winning The American Express

Isabella Ellis joined Nick Dunlap at The American Express

(Image credit: Getty Images)

When she landed, Dunlap was apparently waiting for her at the airport shortly after his 60 left him in with a chance of becoming the first amateur since Phil Mickelson in 1991 to win a PGA Tour event.

Mike Hall
News Writer

Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories. 

He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game. 

Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course. 

Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.