MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 4, 2023

Sam Bennett

Quick Quotes

Q. How much have you played here?

SAM BENNETT: I played 18 on Sunday, nine yesterday, nine today, and then two times prior.

Q. How's the experience been so far here at Augusta National and the Masters?

SAM BENNETT: It's been incredible. Dream come true to be able to tee it up at Augusta playing the Masters. I'm soaking it all in.

I feel like I'm prepared, got some good work in. It's cool being an amateur. I'm going to have fun. I'm not here to treat it like a hit and giggle. I'm here to compete and test my game.

Q. What's been the aha moment? The oh, my God, I'm playing in the Masters right now?

SAM BENNETT: My first drive down Magnolia Lane was pretty surreal. Once you get to the back nine, Amen Corner, it's a different feel down there, down by Rae's Creek.

Probably my first shot on 12, I always dreamed of hitting that shot and every shot out here. When I first stepped on property and hit all the shots, it's like I've kind of been here before just from watching it so much and playing on video games.

So just finally getting to see it for the first time and play it, it's been cool.

Q. How do you feel the course suits you and your game?

SAM BENNETT: I'm a feel player, a lot of creativity. Typically, I drive it well. So fairways are pretty big out here, as everybody knows. So I'll hit a lot of those.

Then I've just learned you've got to keep Rae's Creek at your back. It's quick going toward that creek. I think around the greens I can use a little bit of imagination and same with chipping.

Q. And you played nine holes with Cameron Champ, another Aggie. Did you pick his brain a little bit? Who else have you played some practice rounds with to help out?

SAM BENNETT: Cam's been around here a few times. I kind of know -- this is going to sound crazy, but I know all the slopes, where not to miss it, where to miss it. Just from watching it, it's the exact same that I imagined.

I played with Scott Stallings, and he had a lot of good information. I played with Willie Z on Sunday, and he gave me some good advice.

Everything's kind of straight -- you know where you've got to be and don't want to be out here.

Q. I know you said you want to compete and everything, but you look at me with a big smile on your face. Is that also just kind of the perspective of being here as an amateur and all the history of that?

SAM BENNETT: Right. I'm thrilled to be here. I could stay at this place all day and just mess around. I figured I need to get some rest.

I only played nine today. I want to play them all, but Coach doesn't think it's a good idea.

But teeing up as an amateur and all the history and just watching it, it's a dream come true. I can't wait to get out here and compete.

Q. How was the amateur dinner?

SAM BENNETT: Best dinner of my life. It was cool. Curtis Strange talked, and he had a bunch of information for us amateurs. Come Thursday, I think we'll all be ready to compete.

We're trying to have fun, but I think all of us are -- it's more than having fun at the level that we've been playing at.

Q. How cool is it to have your coach on the bag? What does he bring to the bag for you this week?

SAM BENNETT: It worked well at the Am last summer. So we're sticking to it. He's awesome. He's like my second father. I can go to him for anything, coach, caddie. He's like a father. He's awesome.

We play a lot alike, see shots and hit shots. We're pretty dialed in with our numbers. He knows my game well, and I think he's going to be a big help out here this week.

Q. All your friends in College Station going to be watching?

SAM BENNETT: Yeah, I've got some buddies coming down Thursday. I think family's practice rounds, and I've got buddies coming in Thursday and Friday. They're all excited, College Station and Madisonville as well.

Q. What would your dad think of this?

SAM BENNETT: He'd think it's the coolest thing ever. He's been here a few times, not to watch me play, but I know he's watching from above and wishing me the best.

Q. Is there like a pinch me moment, like I can't believe I'm here?

SAM BENNETT: Driving down Magnolia Lane was cool. Seeing all the people out here, it's a big piece of property. I've been here for a while now, but I think I'm ready.

Q. Have people recognized you, like more than you would have thought?

SAM BENNETT: I mean, yeah, I played on a pretty big stage at the Am, made the cut at the U.S. Open last year at the country club and played in the Arnold Palmer and Valero, so a few TOUR events. So just get a lot of gig'ems.

Q. How much homework are you missing?

SAM BENNETT: I'm not worried about schoolwork right now.