There are days when a golfer gets hot. Then there are weeks when a golfer seems inevitable.

Preston Stout, the sophomore from Oklahoma State, is having one of those weeks.

After a jaw-dropping second-round 61 vaulted him into the lead at the 63rd Northeast Amateur Invitational, Stout has officially arrived on the national stage—not as a surprise, but as a rising force who’s been quietly building toward this moment for years.

From Richardson, Texas to Stillwater, from junior dominance to collegiate maturity, Stout’s journey has been defined by a steady rise, a relentless work ethic, and a flair for the dramatic.

A Breakthrough Round on One of Golf’s Toughest Tests

At Wannamoisett Country Club—a Donald Ross gem known for punishing even the slightest missteps—Stout carved up the field with clinical precision on Thursday. His 9-under 61 was not just the round of the tournament; it was a statement.

It included eagles, irons to kick-in range, and a putting display that left his playing partners shaking their heads. The round followed an opening 69 and pushed him to -8 overall, one shot clear of 15-year-old sensation Miles Russell and two ahead of John Daly II.

But this wasn’t just lightning in a bottle. It was the continuation of a player who’s been trending toward greatness for months.

Big 12 History & National Acclaim

Just a few weeks before tearing up Wannamoisett, Stout made conference history.

At Southern Hills Country Club, he became just the second Cowboy ever to win multiple Big 12 titles, joining Morgan Hoffmann. He did it with a closing 67 while battling illness, securing back-to-back wins and his first solo collegiate victory.

“Every win he’s ever had was a tie. This one? It was all his,” said OSU assistant Derek Ernst.

The victory was Stout’s second of the spring, capping a season that included:

• Six top-10 finishes in seven starts
• Third-place finishes at Augusta and Maridoe
• A school-record-tying 62 at the Amer Ari Invitational
• Selection as the Big 12 Golfer of the Month for April

Game That Travels, Grit That Wins

There’s something uniquely balanced about Stout’s game. He’s long off the tee, but measured. He can go low—witness the 61 and 62—but rarely plays himself out of a round. His iron play is polished. His putting is trending. But above all, it’s his mental poise that stands out.

Whether it’s battling pros at the Korn Ferry’s Veritex Bank Championship (T22 at 18-under) or rolling in a 35-foot birdie to clinch the Big 12, Stout has a knack for delivering in big moments.

What Comes Next

With two rounds left at the Northeast Amateur, Stout holds the lead over a field filled with future PGA TOUR talent. Miles Russell is a prodigy. John Daly II is hungry. Veterans like Garrett Rank, Jack Turner, and Michael Riebe are all within range.

But right now, the man to catch is Preston Stout.

And if recent history is any indication, he’s not looking back.

Notable Highlights

• 2x Big 12 Champion (2024 & 2025)
• Big 12 Golfer of the Month – April 2025
• School-record 62 at Amer Ari Invitational
• 6 Top-10s in 7 spring starts
• T22 at Korn Ferry Veritex Bank Championship (18-under)
• Top finishes at Sunnehanna, Southern Am, Northeast Am, and U.S. Am

Follow Preston’s run at the 2025 Northeast Amateur all weekend at AmateurGolf.com.