Another Masterful 68 has Sam Bennett alone in third after 36 holes

Press conference video courtesy of The Masters.

A historic Thursday turned into a historic Friday and sets the stage for what could be a historic weekend at Augusta.

Texas A&M’s Sam Bennett delivered an encore performance of his 4-under-par opening round with another 68 on Friday. The amateur sits at 8-under heading into the weekend at the 2023 Masters Tournament, the best two-round start by an amateur since 1956.

“I love being able to hit shots in front of people when they matter,” Bennett said after his second round. “I use nerves to my advantage, so I’ve felt comfortable out there. Obviously, the first tee shot on Thursday was pretty tough having to wait around all morning, but I got off to a dream start and was able to keep it going.”

Bennett could pinch himself, but he’s already wide awake.

With play suspended before the completion of the second round, Bennett sits alone in third place and is still awaiting his next tee time. The Aggie could be among Saturday’s final grouping once the current round is finished on Saturday morning.

“This week, I’m at Augusta National, a dream come true, playing as an amateur,” Bennett said. “Just to see my name up there with all the red numbers on those big scoreboards. They’re huge.

“I wasn’t looking where I was at. I was just soaking it all in.”

He’s not just comfortable near the top of the leaderboard. He’s also confident.

“I’ve created confidence by putting myself in the right situations,” Bennett explained. “Everything I’ve done in my golf career with playing in these big tournaments has led me to be able to succeed here this week.”

An unforgettable week at Augusta National continued on the very first hole, where Bennett knocked in a birdie putt to move to 5-under.

On Thursday, Bennett became the first amateur in 30 years to post a clean round, and he did not card a bogey until his 22nd hole of the tournament — Friday’s par-3 fourth.

“Two 68s at Augusta as my first time as an amateur?” Bennett said. “Yeah, I would have taken that.”

It would be Bennett’s only blemish through two rounds, but he rebounded nicely with back-to-back birdies on the par-5 eighth and par-4 ninth.

Bennett wrapped up his second bout with Amen Corner with a birdie on the par-5 13th. He followed that up with another on 14 to move to 8-under on the weekend.

Playing with the defending Masters champion, the Aggie got the better of the Longhorn on Friday as Scottie Scheffler shot a 3-over-par 75 second round and sits at 1-under.

“I just wanted to put two good rounds up,” Bennett said. “I knew my good golf was good enough to compete out here, and I've found myself in a situation where low am is kind of out of the equation, and I’ve got a golf tournament that I can go out and win.”

While Bennett remains four strokes off the lead, the Aggie has already made history and should find himself in Butler Cabin on Sunday, regardless if he catches leader Brooks Koepka.

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With only one bogey through two rounds, there have been plenty of reasons for Bennett and caddie Brian Kortan to smile.

An amateur has never won the tournament, but eight top-ten finishes have occurred in the 89-year history of The Masters, the last being Charles Coe’s 1962 ninth-place finish. The best amateur finish is second, done by Frank Stranahan (1947), Ken Venturi (1956) and Coe (1961).

However, Bennett will almost assuredly be the lone amateur to make the cut. Should that come to fruition, he’ll be honored during Sunday’s Green Jacket ceremony as the 2023 low am, just as long as he finishes the remaining 36 holes.

Past low amateurs include golf icons Jack Nicklaus (1960) and Tiger Woods (1995), so his elite play has landed Bennett in elite company.

“I think I am prepared. The hard work is done,” Bennett said. “I made the cut as an amateur. I kind of made my mark. I’ve played steady golf. Now it’s time for me to go out and enjoy, soak it all in.

“Being able to play the weekend at The Masters, growing up as a kid if you would’ve told me that, I probably would’ve said you’re crazy. To be honest, I don’t think I’ll be too nervous out there.”

Still, Bennett’s eyes are likely on a much larger prize, and his march toward grander history continues on Saturday:

“I know that my good golf is good enough.”