'I Can Go Out And Win!' Aggies Sam Bennett Surging At The Masters

Two rounds into the 87th Masters at Augusta National, Aggies fifth-year senior Sam Bennett is more than ready to fight for his shot at winning a green jacket.

Sam Bennett wasn't a fan of the well-wishes and compliments being tossed his way prior to the start of the first round of the 87th Masters. Most of the fans thought it would be impressive if he were to shoot the lowest score of any amateur. 

Bennett wanted more. He thought he could win the whole thing. 

Two rounds into Augusta National, Bennett is more than ready to fight for his shot at bringing home the green jacket. Currently in second place with a -8 entering Day 3, all that stands in his way is Brooks Koepka, who sits at top of the leaderboard at -12. 

Bennett's story is a compelling one. A kid from Madisonville who wanted to spend time on the course rather than the football field, golf became a passion between father and son. Mark Bennett introduced his son to the game as an adolescent. 

Sam Bennett now carries on the legacy set by the patriarch. Mark Bennett passed away at the age of 53 in 2021 after a long struggle with Alzheimer's. His final message — "Don't wait to do something" — is tattooed inside his arm as a visual aid to keep him pushing ahead. 

"It's a great story," Bennett said. "I hear it every day. But I want to try and move on from this. I want to start talking about golf. I'm more than what's happened to me and what I've been through."

Bennett hasn't waited since the first tee. On Thursday, he finished with the lowest opening-round score (68) by an amateur at The Masters in 22 years, and the first bogey-free round for an amateur since 1965. He followed that up with another 68 on Day 2 to firmly put him among the leaders. 

"I knew my golf was good enough to compete out here," he said. "I found myself in a situation that now I've got a golf tournament that I can go out and win."

On Day 1, Bennett began hot, starting with a birdie and eagle on holes No. 1 and No. 2. He also birdied the par 3 6th.

The first bogey came on the par 3 6th on Friday. Bennett quickly recovered with birdies on holes No. 8 (par 5), No. 9 (par 4), No. 13 (par 5) and No. 14 (par 4). 

"He's been really tidy out there," Bennett's caddie and college coach Brian Kortan said. "[He's] stacking good shots together and being tidy."

Bennett's 36-hole start is the second-best amateur score in Masters history, trailing only Ken Venturi's 9-under in 1956. He's also the third amateur in history to post multiple rounds in the 60s at The Masters.

It's been over 20 years since an amateur finished in the top 20 when Ryan Moore tied for 13th in 2005. It's been more than 60 years since one finished inside the top 10. 

Bennett is on pace to break that streak. For now, he's just at peace playing the game he loves. 

Playing the game instilled by — and now for — his father. 

"I'm calm right now, and I'm calm when I'm on the course," Bennett said Friday. "Geez, I'm playing Augusta National. It can't get any better.''

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