What do Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson, Tiger Woods and Patrick Reed have in common on Friday? The former Masters champions are all chasing an amateur named Sam Bennett around Augusta National.
The senior at Texas A&M became a household name among golf fans after a stunning round of 68 put him at 4-under par and safely inside the Top-10 on the leaderboard while tying a record for the lowest front nine by an amateur at the Masters (32).
Masters Leaderboard: Live leaderboard, Schedule, Tee times
While he’s just 23 years old, Bennett has plenty of accolades on his resume already. If and when the Madisonville, Texas native turns pro, fans could be hearing his name a lot more often.
So who is Sam Bennett? Here are five things to know about the golfer trying to become the first amateur to win the Masters.
1
Bennett qualified for the Masters by winning the 2022 U.S. Amateur title
Earning the title of U.S. Amateur champion is one of just 19 ways golfers can qualify for the Masters. Bennett did just that at Ridgewood Country Club in New Jersey last summer with a 1-up victory over Ben Carr.
The amateur invite to Augusta is only good for one year, so Bennett will have to finish in the Top-12 at the Masters to guarantee himself a spot in the field next season. Or he can win a green jacket and earn a lifetime invitation to golf’s most iconic tournament.
2
He's the No. 6 amateur in the world
That ranking feels certain to change for the better after this week. Per the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Bennett is behind only Ludvig Aberg, Gordon Sargent, Michael Thorbjornsen, Austin Greaser and David Ford.
Amateur Sam Bennett starts his first round at the Masters with a birdie on No. 1 and an eagle on No. 2. #themasters pic.twitter.com/JMnYRl1SgW
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 6, 2023
3
Bennett's college coach is caddying for him this week
Texas A&M head coach Brian Kortan is on the bag for Bennett at Augusta and it seems to be working. After coaching Bennett to a first-team PING All-America and seven individual amateur wins, the former PGA pro had his fifth-year senior making all the right choices in Round 1.
“He helped me get around this place good,” Bennett said. “We were smart, dialed in with our numbers, knew where we wanted to be. I had a lot of stress-free pars, which is what you want around this place.”
4
Bennett made the cut at the 2022 U.S. Open
Maybe it shouldn’t be much of a surprise to see Bennett on top of his game at a major. He finished T49 at the U.S. Open in 2022, going 70-73-74-73 (290) to finish 10-over par — and ahead of names like Patrick Reed, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau.
5
Advice from Bennett's late father is tattooed on his arm
Bennett explained the tattoo is in his father’s handwriting and was one of the last pieces of advice his dad gave before his death. Looking at the note has become a pre-shot routine for Bennett.
"Don't wait to do something."
Sam Bennett's late father gives him inspiration before every single shot.
Today, he made history. pic.twitter.com/hhEFZFGv9n
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 6, 2023
