9 Things to Know About Sam Bennett, the Amateur Taking the Masters by Storm

The amateurs are part of the narrative each year at Augusta National, as their inclusion is a core element of Masters tradition. But this year, one 23-year-old fifth-year college senior is the story.

Texas A&M’s Sam Bennett earned his spot in the Masters through his U.S. Amateur victory, and he’s using the coveted invitation to show that such a stage is exactly where he belongs. On Friday, Bennett finished with another 4-under 68. He sits in third place—four shots behind Brooks Koepka—a position that only two other amateurs have reached in Masters history.

“This is going to sound crazy, but before the week, everyone was talking about ‘I hope you get low amateur,’ this and that. I was like, ‘There’s seven guys to beat. That’s it? There’s a green jacket on the line,” Bennett said to ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt in Butler Cabin.

Here are nine things that you need to know about the college star as he continues to make waves at the Masters.

1. Sam Bennett has a tattoo on his left forearm with a quote scribbled by his late father, Mark: “Don’t wait to do something.” The message is one of the last sentences Mark uttered before he passed away from a long and tragic battle with early onset Alzheimer’s in 2021. After his death, Bennett began to look down at the tattoo as part of his pre-shot ritual, carrying his father’s words with him

2. Bennett grew up in a minuscule town in rural Texas. Madisonville, located 40 miles northeast of Texas A&M, has 4,500 residents and two stoplights. He honed his game at a nine-hole course called Fannin Oaks—let’s just say the property is no Augusta National.

3. At the U.S. Amateur at Ridgewood Country Club in New Jersey, Bennett defeated several world-class players to reach the championship match against Ben Carr, who is also teeing it up at Augusta this week. He took down former Masters low amateur Steward Hagestad and current LIV Golf member David Puig before outlasting Carr in the 36-hole final, 1 up.

4. In February at the John Burns Intercollegiate, Bennett set a Texas A&M program and tournament record by shooting an 11-under 61 during the final round. He earned co-medalist honors at the event with an 18-under-par three-day total.

5. At the Spirit International in 2021, Bennett was involved in an odd rules snafu. On the first hole of his round representing Team USA, Bennett reached into his bag to find his 60 degree wedge, only to realize there was another 58-degree in the bag that wasn’t his. Instead, it belonged to one of his teammates, Stanford’s Rachel Heck, who had rested the club next to Bennett’s bag when she was applying temporary tattoos to his face. Bennett received a two-shot penalty for having a 15th club in his bag, but he still won the men’s event.

6. This PGA Tour season, Bennett has turned down sponsor exemptions into both the Genesis Invitational and the Arnold Palmer Invitational to compete alongside the Aggies in his fifth year at Texas A&M. The 23-year-old plans to turn pro following his final appearance at the D-I NCAA Championship, and he will use his seven allotted exemptions on the PGA Tour this summer. Taylor Ford will caddie for Bennett when he turns pro—a former looper for Stewart Cink.

7. Bennett already has some major championship experience under his belt. He made the cut in last summer’s U.S. Open at The Country Club, where he finished T49.

8. He is currently ranked sixth in the PGA Tour University rankings. The player in the first place position (currently Texas Tech’s Ludvig Aberg) will receive a PGA Tour card upon the conclusion of their senior season. Bennett’s Masters performance will likely improve his rank significantly.

9. Bennett didn’t grow up as just a golfer. He played basketball, tennis and baseball throughout his high school years.