Sam Renner Notches Historic Win at 123rd PNGA Men’s Amateur

SUNRIVER, Ore. (July 20, 2025) – Washington State University rising senior Sam Renner of Bend, Ore., defeated Nilay Naik of Lake Oswego, Ore., 4&3 in the final match to win the 123rd PNGA Men’s Amateur, held this week at Sunriver (Ore.) Resort.

Renner, who won this championship last year, accomplished a feat not seen in the modern era by successfully defending his title. He is the first back-to-back winner since PNGA Hall of Famer Jim McLean won titles in 1971 and 1972. 

Since the championship was first held in 1899, only six players had won back-to-back titles. Other than McLean, the other five players include Ron Willey (1959, 1960), Harry Givan (1945 and 1946, and also 1936 and 1937), Jack Westland (who three-peated in 1938, 1939 and 1940), George Von Elm (1921 and 1922) and R.L. MacLeay (who also three-peated in 1903, 1904 and 1905). 

Renner now adds his name to this illustrious list. 

In his match against Naik today, Renner immediately charged from the gate, winning the first hole and never looking back. Although score is technically not kept in match play, Renner shot a 30 on the first nine, and 62 for the morning 18, which put him 6-up in the match at the break. 

Naik was able to slow some of Renner’s momentum, matching birdie for birdie in the second nine of the morning round, and then winning holes 21, 22 and 23 in the second 18 to chip away at some of Renner’s lead. But Naik eventually ran out of holes, and Renner closed out the match with a par on the 33rd hole. 

The No. 22 seed entering match play, Renner made quick work of his opponents during his march through the bracket, winning by margins of 4&3, 2&1, 4&3, 5&4, 6&4, and then 4&3 in today’s final match against No. 29 seed Naik. 

As he did last year, Renner’s had his mom Molly as his caddie all week. Also, Naik’s mom Bindi served as his caddie. 

Renner had been the medalist and No. 1 seed in last year’s championship, which was held at Wine Valley Golf Club in Walla Walla, Wash. He is coming off a successful junior season on the Washington State University men’s golf team. He carded a team-record scoring average of 70.67 and was an All-West Coast Conference First Team selection, earning himself a berth in the NCAA Regional Championship. He plays out of Awbrey Glen Golf Club, just up the road from Sunriver. 

Naik played his freshman year at Pomona College in Claremont,…