Sam Bennett wins 2023 Masters Low Amateur, finishes tied for 16th

The new owner of the Silver Cup resides in College Station.

Playing 30 holes on Sunday at Augusta National, Texas A&M’s Sam Bennett secured the 2023 Low Amateur at the 87th edition of the Masters Tournament with a 2-under-par 286.

“It was incredible,” Bennett told CBS in Butler Cabin. “Just getting the opportunity to play Augusta was a dream come true.”

Since Friday, Bennett has known he’d likely be in Butler Cabin on Sunday evening.

The only question was whether he’d be there in a supporting role or as the main star.

Battling many of golf’s best in addition to weather and the immeasurable pressure of chasing history, Bennett entered Sunday alone in third place and seven strokes off the lead when the third round restarted.

What would have been an unprecedented victory by an amateur was not to be, but Bennett’s tie for 16th is the first amateur top-20 finish since Ryan Moore’s 2005 tie for 13th.

“The Masters and Augusta was everything I ever dreamed of,” Bennett told CBS.

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Bennett played his final round with two-time major champion Collin Morikawa.

Still, the Hollywood script of the ultimate underdog putting on an iconic green jacket eludes the game as Jon Rahm claimed his maiden Masters championship at 12-under.

It wasn’t until a forgettable third round that Bennett looked mortal as he dropped down the leaderboard following a magical start to the week.

Back-to-back 4-under 68s to open the week left him as the lone amateur to make the cut.

Entering the third round — contested over Saturday and Sunday due to a weather delay — Bennett bogeyed only once across his first 36 holes, carding the second-lowest two-round score by an amateur in Masters history.

“Playing in the final group on Saturday or Sunday, whatever, it was incredible alongside Rahm and (Brooks) Koepka,” Bennett said after round three. “The patrons have been awesome, cheering me on and telling me to hang in there. They really make me feel welcomed and comfortable out here.”

After the weather had gone and action resumed Sunday, Bennett failed to steady himself as a 4-over penultimate round knocked him out of contention.

“I feel like I’m trying to do too much with the driver and maybe hit a little harder,” Bennett said. “I just need to play my game and wedge it close, get the ball on the tee and go from there.”

There was no magic — movie or otherwise — to save him over his last 18 at Augusta.

“Getting to see it on Sunday, coming down the back nine and walking up 18 was by far the coolest experience of my life,” Bennett told CBS.

Bennett pulled into the clubhouse in his Easter-pink shirt after a 2-over final round as his putter likely left him heartbroken.

Missed putts on birdie tries at 15 and 16 ultimately cost Bennett a spot inside the top 12, meaning he failed to secure an invitation to the 2024 Masters.

“I definitely need some time to decompress,” Bennett told CBS. “It was a great week, and I’m looking forward to getting back and looking back on the memories that I made.”

Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Network

Bennett shared an emotional moment with his mother after walking off the green at Augusta’s par-4 18th.

A 16th-place finish should not diminish what was a special week for a special Aggie.

With his late father’s final message tattooed on his left forearm, Bennett certainly didn’t wait to make an impression as winning Masters low amateur is a monumental accomplishment.

The company the Aggie now keeps includes the Golden Bear, Tiger and Lefty.

His return to Augusta might not happen next April, but the wait surely won’t be long for such a talented 23-year-old.

Regardless, countless Aggies — and countless golf fans worldwide — are anxiously awaiting the youngster from Madisonville’s future.

Oh, and he might play 36 holes on Monday in the Aggie Invitational at Traditions Club.

“I still haven’t made my decision, but I think I’m going to play.”