Very close to equaling Ken Venturi’s record held since 1956, the young Texan, winner of the US Amateur 2022, signed an anthology Thursday without conceding the slightest bogey before confirming this Friday with a second 68 (-4 ) in a row. All this under the eyes of Scottie Scheffler with whom he shared his first two laps.
Lionel VELLA, special envoy to Augusta
A pat on the shoulder as an endorsement on the 18th green, a fixed and serious gaze proving all his respect, Scottie Schefflerthe current world No. 1 and defending champion, was clearly impressed by the quality of play of his partner, Sam Bennett, 23 years old since December 21. Winner of theUS Amateur 2022 by beating 1 up in the final his compatriot Ben Carralso present this week in Augusta, this purebred Texan, resident of Texas A&M University, thus slammed a huge 68 (-4) without bogey this Thursday. Never in 30 years has an amateur achieved such a feat.
A small jewel smoothly led with to give himself full of confidence a birdie at 1 then an eagle at 2. -3 after two holes. Before going to -4 at 6. Magic. 13 greens out of 18 taken in regulation, 13 fairways out of 14 for 27 putts. Solid. Caddyed by his coach at college, Brian Kortanhe even almost erased tablets Ken Venturiauthor of an inaugural 66 in Masters 1956.
I heard of Ken Venturi. I know who knows but it stops there.
« I didn’t know I was able to break this recordhe explained just after his first dream day. I heard of Ken Venturi. I know who knows but it stops there. My priority was above all to hit good shots, put the ball in the right area and do my best. It’s true that this lap without bogey is pretty cool. »
The message of his late father tattooed on the left forearm
Something to think a little more about this father, Mark, Air Force veteran and dentist, who left Alzheimer’s disease far too early in June 2021 after seven years of fighting. It was he who allowed his sons (Sam and Marcus) to discover golf on the small nine-hole municipal public golf course in Madisonville, a remote town two hours’ drive north of Houston. ” He is always there, near me. I know he is watching me “, he often repeats. He even got a tattoo on his left forearm of one of the last messages his late father sent him: ” Don’t wait to do something. »
Holy shit you weren’t kidding about the pace of play. I had to make sure this wasn’t stuck on a loop pic.twitter.com/vPNibIubil
— Jon Benne (@LordBenne) August 21, 2022
A fracture for the young Sam Bennett who went through depression after this tragic epilogue, he who was still a junior at that time and about to join the University. A period that also forged a lot of character, even if he is also known not to be the fastest golfer in Texas (see above). But no matter, he has already left his mark on this 87th edition of the Masters.
The proof with this second round completed once again in 68 with five birdies and a bogey which allows him to climb to provisional second place at -8 (136), four lengths behind Brooks Koepka. The last time an amateur ended up in a top 5 in a Masters was in 2003 with Ricky Barnes (3rd tied after 36 holes). Remember that the lowest score for an amateur, still here in Augusta, is held by the inevitable Ken Venturi, -9 in 1956. He will finish second behind Jack Burke Jr.
Sam Bennett, remember that name!
Photo : Masters Images
