July 20, 2025

Sam Renner of Bend, Oregon, etched his name into the history books with a commanding 4 & 3 victory over Nilay Naik of Lake Oswego in Sunday’s 36-hole final at Sunriver Resort, capturing the 123rd Pacific Northwest Men’s Amateur Championship — and doing so for the second year in a row.

Renner, a rising star from Washington State University, became the first player in over 50 years to win back-to-back titles at the PNGA Men’s Amateur. The last player to accomplish the feat was PNGA Hall of Famer Jim McLean in 1971 and 1972. Since the tournament’s inception in 1899, only six players had previously repeated as champion, placing Renner in elite company alongside legends like Jack Westland, George Von Elm, and R.L. MacLeay.

The final match was never in doubt. Renner came out firing, winning the first hole and never trailing. His morning round included a torrid front nine — highlighted by a 30 — en route to a score of 62 for the first 18 holes. That gave him a 6-up lead over Naik heading into the afternoon session. Although Naik pushed back with wins on holes 21, 22, and 23, Renner maintained composure and closed out the match with a par on the 33rd hole (hole 15 of the afternoon round).

A Champion’s Path

Entering match play as the No. 22 seed, Renner put together a dominant run:

• Round of 64: def. Reid Piron, 4 & 3
• Round of 32: def. Jonathan Lai, 2 & 1
• Round of 16: def. Jeffrey Forster, 4 & 3
• Quarterfinal: def. Ashton McArthur, 5 & 4
• Semifinal: def. Taylor Lansford, 6 & 4
• Final: def. Nilay Naik, 4 & 3

As in 2024, Renner was again caddied by his mother, Molly, adding a heartfelt element to the historic win. Nilay Naik, whose mother Bindi served as his caddie, earned widespread praise for his steady and sportsmanlike play all week. A standout freshman at Pomona College, Naik will transfer to the University of Michigan this fall to continue his collegiate golf career.

Renner's Rise

Renner, who plays out of Awbrey Glen Golf Club, posted a breakout collegiate season for WSU, setting a school scoring average record of 70.67 and earning First Team All-WCC honors. With a repeat title at one of the nation’s most prestigious amateur championships, Renner has cemented himself as a name to watch at the national level.

“It means everything to do it here in Oregon again,” said Renner. “To win once is special. To do it twice, and with my mom on the bag again — it’s hard to put into words.”

Follow all live matches and full scoring details here:

Event Format and Schedule

The championship unfolds in two stages:

• Stroke Play: 36-hole qualifying (July 15–16) on Meadows and Woodlands. Top 64 advance to match play.
• Match Play: Single elimination bracket with 18-hole rounds and a 36-hole final (July 17–20).

Sudden-death playoffs will resolve ties for the final qualifying spots and for medalist honors. Exemptions are granted to past champions and select top finishers from 2024.

Sunriver Resort: The Host Venue

Nestled in Oregon’s high desert, Sunriver Resort offers two acclaimed courses for this championship:

• Meadows Course: Designed by John Fought, featuring classic design cues from the 1920s-30s with seven holes bordering the Sun River. Strategic bunkering and river vistas challenge precision and course management. Meadows has hosted NCAA and PGA Cup events, underscoring its pedigree as a championship venue.
• Woodlands Course: Known for its tree-lined fairways and dramatic layout, it provides a contrasting test demanding accuracy off the tee and creative shot-making. Players must be adept at shaping shots through ponderosa pines and navigating subtly contoured greens.

Sunriver’s variety ensures that the champion will have demonstrated versatility, patience, and nerves of steel across both stroke and match play formats.

Historic Prestige

The Pacific Northwest Men’s Amateur is rich in tradition, dating to 1899. It has launched the careers of major champions and PGA Tour standouts. Past winners include:

• Tiger Woods (1994)
• Ben Crane (1997)
• Jeff Quinney (1998, 2000)
• Nick Flanagan (2003)
• Recent champions: Sam Renner (2024), Joshua Koo (2023), Paul Mitzel (2022)

Winning this event also confers a hosted exemption into the Pacific Coast Amateur and Sahalee Players Championship, underscoring its role as a proving ground for top-tier amateurs.

How to Watch and Follow

For competitive amateurs, coaches, and fans, staying updated on the 2025 championship is essential. Daily coverage will include stroke play leaderboards, match play brackets, and behind-the-scenes analysis. Follow along for player interviews, strategy deep-dives, and updates on weather or course conditions.

Check the official live scoring database here:

Bookmark this page for daily updates added at the top of this article as the championship progresses.

For more on the Pacific Northwest Golf Association and their championships, visit thepnga.org.