FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Sam Bennett was on top of the amateur golf world in August.
Capturing the 2022 U.S. Amateur at The Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, New Jersey, was a new top highlight for Bennett, the senior at Texas A&M. It proved to him he was one of the best amateur golfers. That week, he was the best.
Since then, he has returned to College Station for his final season of college golf. Life has returned mostly to normal for Bennett, but it will never quite be the same.
“Those first few weeks were a little hectic getting back,” Bennett said. “Celebrating with some buddies, family and friends, but then having to start school right back up with qualifying, 6 a.m. workouts and all that. But it has been fun getting back with my teammates.”
The fifth-year senior from Madisonville, Texas, decided to return to Texas A&M before his U.S. Amateur victory, but winning the title only strengthened his resume and the Aggies’ lineup this season.
And that strength showed Tuesday at the 2022 Blessings Collegiate Invitational at The Blessings Golf Club. Bennett fired a round of 4-under 68 to move into the top 10 on the leaderboard heading to Wednesday’s final round. He opened with a 3-over performance on Monday, but he and his Texas A&M teammates dominated the field Tuesday to take the lead at the 7,700-yard, par-72 layout.
Aggies’ coach Brian Kortan said Bennett hasn’t changed.
“He’s really comfortable with what he does,” Kortan said. “That’s a guy you like to have around. He just really enjoys playing golf and competing.”
That competition was on full display at the U.S. Amateur. Whether it was club twirls or talking throughout the week how he was the favorite, Bennett isn’t afraid to boast about his talent.
Thus far during his senior season, he finished T-34 at the Badger Invitational in Wisconsin and a T-17 at the SEC Match Play Championship in the stroke play portion. He lost in his match against Auburn in the match play portion.
So, how has life changed for Bennett since winning the U.S. Amateur? Not much. But that doesn’t take away from how special of a week it was.
“I’ve kind of put that past me,” Bennett said. “I mean, I’m the U.S. Amateur champion, but it gave me that little bit of extra confidence to play at the highest stage.”
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