Texas A&M Star Sam Bennett Starts Off Strong At The Masters

Sam Bennett is off and running into Day 2 of The Masters.

For a kid still playing at the collegiate level, Sam Bennett looked like one of the pros in Augusta. That has a chance to carry over into Day 2 of The Masters, and perhaps even further into the weekend. 

The Texas A&M senior finished shooting a 4-under-par 68 in Thursday’s opening round. He also became the first player in over two decades to open the tournament with a birdie and eagle. Bennett drained a 15-foot putt on the 455-yard first hole to stay at -1. He then chipped his way onto the green to improve to -3 on the 475-yard second hole. 

“I couldn’t have dreamed of a better start,” Bennett said. “I got out of the gates good and then I made a good one on 6.”

Bennett is currently in a seven-way tie for sixth place with Gary Woodland, Scottie Scheffler, Sam Burns, Shane Lowry, Xander Schauffele, and Adam Scott. No amateur has placed among the top 10 on day one since 2005.

Known for his unique swing, Bennett became the first amateur to complete a bogey-free round in over 30 years. His score was the lowest round for an amateur since James Driscoll in 2001. 

Birdie, eagle start for the reigning US Amateur champ Sam Bennett at #TheMasters@ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/581Rf1dRUT

— ESPN (@espn) April 6, 2023

The short game was on Bennett's side for the front-9. He made another impressive long putt of 23 feet to give him a birdie on No. 6. Consistency was his friend on the back-9 as Bennett ended the day with 12 straight pars to keep him on pace with several of the top contenders. 

While nothing is promised, Bennett should be in line to make the cut for the 36-hole tournament entering Saturday. The top-50 golfers advance after Friday's match. Bennett is currently one of 36 golfers with a score of at least -1 through the first day. 

Bennett has been the standard compared to the other amateurs who made it to Augusta. Ben Carr and Harrison Crowe are tied at +3 following the first 18 holes. Mateo Fernandez de Oliviera sits at a +4, while Aldrich Potgieter, Gordon Sargent and Matthew McClean are all at +5. 

Bennett, along with Scheffler, last year's Masters' winner, and Max Homa will tee off at 9:30 a.m. CT Friday. The Masters will air on Masters.com or can be seen on ESPN+. CBS will pick up the broadcasting for the next 36 holes beginning Saturday morning. 

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