THE MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT PRESENTED BY WORKDAY

June 1, 2023

Sam Bennett

Muirfield Village

Quick Quotes

Q. You're a pro now. Do you feel any different, first of all?

SAM BENNETT: No, I can get paid now for good finishes. But, no, it's been a long time coming. I had a great amateur career and was happy to get started with my professional debut here at Memorial.

Q. How did it go?

SAM BENNETT: It was good. It's tough out here. You got to keep it in play. I did a pretty good job of that. When I didn't I got it back in position and was able to score. I played the par-5s good. Out here I feel like you have to deal with the scoring holes. And this was a good start. A good start to my debut.

Q. What has it been like since the Masters? That week probably happened so fast for you. What have you been up to?

SAM BENNETT: Yeah, life's been a little different. Just more people knowing and saying stuff like congratulations. That I had a lot of conference and regionals, nationals for our team, Texas A & M. So that was my sole focus. I knew what was at stake once I graduated, but first and foremost I wanted to help my team out and teammates and coaches out the best I could. And, but, yeah, Augusta was a great week and it helped me get for some experience.

Q. Along those lines was it hard to focus? You were so close to something you probably dreamt about for a long time, turning pro.

SAM BENNETT: Yeah, no, I was locked in. I played the Masters. I made the cut at the U.S. Open last year. I played Arnold Palmer, Valero, a tournament in Dubai. So I kind of know what it's like a little bit out here and what it takes to be successful. Just from talking to some people and coaches I think I was ready. I'm experienced. And I was kind of -- it's kind of funny, only thing now I got to worry about is playing good golf.

Q. I think what he meant was after the Masters was it hard to wait until now and play the rest of that college schedule before you turned pro. Were you like itching to get going?

SAM BENNETT: Yeah, I was. Yeah, I was itching. But I knew what was at stake. I came back for my fifth year and I wanted to respect my team, respect my decision. So they're first and foremost. And TOUR golf's always going to be there for me. I wanted to have one last run at a national championship with my team.

Q. You really feel like last year -- I talked to you at the qualifier last year at Columbus -- that that maybe was the start of all of the things that prepared you for today? That moment got you in the U.S. Open, you made the cut at the U.S. Open, etcetera, etcetera.

SAM BENNETT: For sure, yeah. I barely got in through sectionals here in Columbus with the same caddie I have this week, Taylor. He's been awesome. Then I played the U.S. Open. I played the weekend there with a bunch of people. And then obviously the Amateur, playing in that situation where I know what's on the line. So, yeah, all the experience from trying to win my first college event to playing the U.S. Opens to shooting 85 in TOUR events, all that's led to where I was or where I am today.

Q. We don't think you're going to shoot 85 today. Are you signed up for the qualifier here on Monday again?

SAM BENNETT: No, I'm in the U.S. Open.

Q. What else did you do well today? What are the things that you are thinking about as you go along? You're going to play next week, too, right?

SAM BENNETT: Yeah.

Q. That you'll want to improve on. That you already know, hey, if I want to be successful, these are the things I need to do.

SAM BENNETT: Yeah, I just, just quit living like a college kid. I'll probably start with that. Just doing the right things. Being smart. Making right decisions. My good golf, I just know that I have a really unique game and unique swing, I just got to own it and play my game and it will be just fine. But yeah, the experience here is going to be great. And the RBC next week, driving up there and then U.S. Open and then I have a week off. It's kind of crazy. Last night I was thinking I was like, Man, I won't be home for a while. It's kind of lonely at times from what I hear. But it's great. This is right where I want to be, right where I've always wanted to do and I'm looking to seize the opportunity.

Q. The first tee shot today, first as a professional in your career. Was there any difference, did you feel any different, any emotions or any feelings in your hands?

SAM BENNETT: No, I was just excited. I wasn't nervous at all. Even playing the weekend at Augusta I wasn't nervous. On Thursday the first tee shot I was really nervous. But like I said, I'm comfortable out here, I'm experienced, everybody kind of knows who I am and the fans have been great. It's just been incredible. Having my professional debut at Jake's place, couldn't be a better place.

Q. What was the maybe one highlight to pick out of the day?

SAM BENNETT: Yeah, I got up-and-down for from bogey on my first hole of the day on 10. I was in the bunker and then I skulled it over the green and got like a 40-yard shot up-and-down from the rough.

Then I was able to hit it in close on 11, wedge it and make birdie.

And then I made a few good sand saves out of the bunker and I just played the par-5s good. Then when I got out of position I just took my bogey and moved on.