AUGUSTA | Laying eyes on the main draw of the Masters Tournament, we quickly scratch our heads when we see the name of Sam Bennett in the third row, at -8. But who is this amateur full of talent with a pair of 68?
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The 23-year-old Texan is none other than the reigning United States Amateur Champion. And above all, he is not lacking in confidence, he who presented problems of anxiety and depression about two years ago.
Bennett follows to the letter the last instructions that his father wrote to him before losing his word and his life after seven fierce battles against Alzheimer’s disease.
“Don’t delay in doing something. »
This message, he remembers it every time he looks at his forearm. He is tattooed in the exact calligraphy of his father who died in the spring of 2021.
“I see it every time I grip my stick. I binge watch it. It is my source of motivation, explained the sixth golfer in the world.
“I know how happy and proud he would be to see me here at Augusta National doing what I do,” he said of his dad, a US Army veteran and dentist. This week, I’m using his message to stay focused and on the mission and every shot. »
Deserved participation
Bennett, twice selected on the American formation of the prestigious Arnold Palmer Cup, punched his ticket to the Masters by overcoming Ben Carr during the United States Amateur Championship.
Winner of five amateur tournaments, he also finished 49th in the American Open presented at the Brookline Country Club last June.
This presence at the Masters represents his fifth start with the pros.
Although this past season on the NCAA Tour as the Texas A&M University Aggies hasn’t been his best, he arrived in Augusta ready and full of confidence. He feels in full possession of his faculties.
“What I have done in my career so far helps me in great moments like this,” said the man who dared to report that the site of the American amateur championship, the Country Club of Ridgewood in New Jersey, is more difficult than the Augusta National.
“My path among amateurs prepared me for this presence at the Masters. »
On the bigger board
Bennett doesn’t scratch his head like the spectators when he sees his name on the main draw. He considers himself as strong as the big names like Koepka, Rahm, Morikawa, Spieth, Day and co. who all have major titles in their pocket.
He is attentive to their slightest fluctuations on the board.
“I prefer to know where I am and what I have to do. And I have to say, I’m looking at the charts this week on this course, because I’m at Augusta National. It’s a dream come true. I’m an amateur showing red numbers among the big names on the biggest scoreboard. It is enormous. I take advantage of it. »
Determined, the young golfer wants to stay among them and above all to surpass them. In the third round, he could become the first amateur to play in the last group since Ken Venturi in 1956, or 67 years.
As his father asked him, he does not wait to stand out.