Bryce Lewis holds on to win Sunnehanna Amateur
Bryce Lewis (Courtesy of Sunnehanna Amateur)
Bryce Lewis completed a wire-to-wire victory at the 69th playing of the Sunnehanna Amateur on Saturday and carved out a little piece of history along the way.
Lewis, who plays collegiately at Tennessee, survived a final round 75 to finish at 5-under par to earn a one-shot victory over
Kelly Chinn and
Maxwell Ford in the first of seven events in the Elite Amateur Series.
Lewis' victory gives him an early leg up in the Elite Amateur Series points race, which is ladened with incentives for the top-five finishers such as an exemption for the 2022 U.S. Amateur and the 2023 U.S. Open Final Qualifying. They will also earn exemptions into the PGA TOUR's Butterfield Bermuda Championship (Oct. 28-31) and select Korn Ferry Tour events.
Lewis took control of the tournament from day one after carding an impressive 6-under round of 64 on Wednesday. He entered the final round enjoying a three-stroke lead at 10-under par which proved to be just enough of a cushion to withstand a closing 75 on Saturday.
A bogey-bogey start gave hope to his closest pursuers, namely Chinn and Ford who play collegiately at Duke and Georgia, respectively. With Lewis struggling, Chinn and Ford closed within a stroke, but a clutch two-putt par save on 18 delivered the Hendersonville, Tenn. native the biggest win of his amateur career.
• • • • •
Future Elite Amateur Series Events
•
Northeast Amateur (June 22-25; Wannamoisett Country Club, Rumford, RI)
• North and South Amateur (June 26-July 2; Pinehurst Resort & Country Club, Pinehurst, NC)
• Trans-Mississippi Amateur (July 6-9; Denver Country Club, Denver, Colo.)
• Southern Amateur (July 13-16; Sea Island Golf Club, St. Simons Island, Ga.)
• Pacific Coast Amateur (July 19-22; Columbia Edgewater Country Club, Portland, Ore.)
• Western Amateur (Aug. 1-6; Exmoor Country Club, Highland Park, Ill.)
ABOUT THE
Sunnehanna Amateur
First played in July 1954, the Sunnehanna Amateur holds a distinguished place in golf history as the first country club-sponsored 72-hole medal (stroke) play event for amateurs in the United States. Its groundbreaking format helped set the standard for elite amateur competition and has since inspired numerous high-level tournaments across the country.
Hosted at Sunnehanna Country Club in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the event is played on a classic 1921 A.W. Tillinghast design—a quintessential golden-age layout known for its strategic shot values, rolling terrain, and challenging greens. The course itself is as much a draw as the championship, offering a pure test of golf that showcases the talent of rising amateur stars.
With its rich tradition, elite fields, and iconic venue, the Sunnehanna Amateur remains one of the premier proving grounds for future professionals. Its alumni list includes many who have gone on to successful PGA Tour careers, making it a must-watch event on the amateur calendar, and one of the best tournaments to kick off a competitive summer in amateur golf.
View Complete Tournament Information