Preston Stout closed stroke play at the 2025 U.S. Amateur with the poise that has defined his summer, shooting a five-under 65 on the Lake Course at The Olympic Club to finish eight-under for the week and earn medalist honors at 132 (67-65). He navigated a nervy finish, then made his move with a tidy outward 32 before closing with a late burst that included birdies at 15, 16 and 17 and a steady par save on the final hole.
Fast facts: Stout finished at 132 total (−8) after rounds of 67 and 65, the low round of stroke play. He finished two shots ahead of Tommy Morrison and four clear of Miles Russell. He entered match play as the No. 1 seed. His season has been marked by a string of strong results, including a Northeast Amateur title, back-to-back Big 12 championships in 2024 and 2025, and an OSU single-round scoring record of 62 at the Amer Ari.
How the 65 unfolded: Stout’s card showed one blemish and six circles. The decisive stretch came on the back nine, where crisp wedges and confident lag putting turned opportunities into conversions. The 16th and 17th holes, two consecutive par-5s on Olympic’s layout, provided the runway for a two-putt birdie at 16 and a precise approach at 17, creating the cushion he needed. The final hole brought drama, but the steady, no-nonsense routine he has shown all summer carried him to the scoring table with the lead intact.
Form that travels: Few amateurs have stacked a spring and summer the way Stout has. He defended his conference title at Southern Hills, tied an Oklahoma State scoring mark in Hawai‘i, and dominated a strong field at the Northeast Amateur. The momentum from those performances has carried into San Francisco, aided by OSU head coach Alan Bratton, who has a track record of guiding players to U.S. Amateur success.
The bracket and the path ahead: As the No. 1 seed, Stout now shifts from stroke-play confidence to match-play focus, where every hole is a new test and momentum must be converted into wins. The history of Oklahoma State golfers in this event shows the volatility of the setup, but Stout’s rhythm, readiness from the opening tee, and the discipline to win each hole on its own terms have him well positioned. If his current form holds, he is a prime contender to navigate the match-play grind and push deep into the championship.
Additional context and outlook: Stout’s climb this season—bolstered by a strong finish to stroke play and a track record of big wins—suggests he’s entering match play with not only confidence but a clear strategy: leverage precise approach shots, rely on solid wedge play, and keep the pace steady under pressure. That combination has the potential to translate into a first U.S. Amateur title, should the momentum continue through the match-play rounds.
Summary: Stout’s eight-under performance to medalist status sets a high bar for match play, backed by a track record of late-season momentum and leadership from his Oklahoma State program. He arrives in San Francisco as a golfer riding a wave of form, poised to challenge for the national title with a calm, patient, and precise game. If the trend continues, a deep run and a possible championship are well within reach.