Amateur standout becomes World Wide Technology's first NIL sponsorship

Thanks to his runner-up finish in August at the U.S. Amateur Championship, Jay Leng Jr., has a couple notable starts in pro events lined up in 2027: namely the Masters and the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. In preparation, the 21-year-old Stanford junior is getting some reps in early, having made his first start in a PGA Tour event last month at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship.

Start No. 2 happens this week at the World Wide Technology Championship in Mexico, where Leng also was introduced Thursday as WWT’s latest golf ambassador. The new partnership calls for the San Diego native to wear the WWT logo on his apparel at all PGA Tour and non-collegiate tournaments.

The deal is notable in that it’s the first time WWT, a global technology solutions provider, has entered a name, image and likeness agreement with an amateur golfer.

"I’m incredibly proud and excited to join World Wide Technology’s team of global golf ambassadors, and it’s a tremendous privilege to be the company’s first NIL Ambassador,” Leng said in a press release. “When you see how WWT supports the amateur game through the St Andrews Links Collegiate, the professional game through the WWT Championship, and the future of the sport through organizations like the First Tee, it really puts into perspective what kind of company World Wide Technology is and the amazing people who are a part of it. I can’t wait to tee it up in Cabo this week and kick off what I know will be a great partnership, both on and off the golf course.”

Leng is still riding high off his impressive run this summer. It began with a runner-up finish at the Northeast Amateur, followed by a T-5 showing at the Southern Amateur. Leng then went on to claim the title at the Western Amateur two weeks before reaching the finals of the U.S. Amateur at Merion Golf Club. The hot streak helped Leng grab a spot on the U.S. Walker Cup team.

“From his success at Stanford to competing in the Walker Cup and finishing runner-up at the U.S. Amateur, Jay has already distinguished himself as an exceptional talent,” said Matt Horner, executive VP at WWT, in a press release. “His passion, humility and commitment to excellence align perfectly with WWT's core values, both on and off the course. We are thrilled to welcome Jay to our team, and we are excited to support him as his career continues to flourish.”

Leng is WWT’s eighth golf ambassador, joining the likes of Luke Donald, Ben Griffin, Austin Eckroat, Keith Mitchell, Taylor Pendrith, Justin Suh and Billy Andrade. Interestingly, the last two winners of the World Wide Technology Championship were Eckroat and Griffin. This is the sixth year that WWT is the title sponsor of the tournament.

Leng tees off in Thursday’s first round in the final group of the morning wave off the first tee at at El Cardonal Course in Los Cabos, Mexico (8:09 a.m. local time/10:09 a.m. eastern) with Trace Crowe and John VanDerLaan.