Sam Bennett created plenty of headlines at The Masters for his T16 which saw him claim the Silver Cup as low amateur. Now, the US Amateur champion has turned professional.
The Texas A&M player has finished in the top five of the PGA Tour University Ranking, which has handed him fully exempt Korn Ferry Tour membership.
Bennett finished fifth in the ranking, and that is also enough to hand him an exemption to Final Stage of 2023 PGA Tour Q-School. The top five finishers in that, including ties, will earn PGA Tour cards as well as the right to accept unlimited PGA Tour sponsor exemptions for the rest of 2023 and 2024.
While all that is to come, Bennett will first tee it up in this week’s designated event on the PGA Tour, The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village courtesy of his status as US Amateur Champion. Ahead of the tournament, Bennett explained he's excited to start the latest chapter in his career.
He said: "Yeah, I'm excited. College was great, it was fun. But now I'm ready to take my game to the next level and I got a good opportunity here at The Memorial here this week to get started. I got this and then RBC next week and then U.S. Open. So nice little three-week stretch to start my professional career off."
As well as his performance at Augusta National in April, and his win in the 2022 US Amateur at The Ridgewood Country Club, Bennett has a string of other achievements to his name, including being named the 2022 Southeastern Conference Golfer of the Year, earning All-America First Team selections in 2021 and 2022 and representing the US in the Arnold Palmer Cup in those two years.
Bennett’s performance in The Masters was what really thrust him into the spotlight, though. The 23-year-old got off to a dream start at the tournament with a 68 to leave him just three shots off the lead. He repeated the score in the second round to reach third and was still in the top 10 going into the final round, before his challenge finally faded to leave him 10 shots adrift of eventual winner Jon Rahm.
That was enough to convince many that Bennett had what it takes to become a success in the professional game. Now, he has a chance to prove that as his life-changing 2023 continues.
As well as Bennett’s unforgettable week, World No.1 amateur Ludvig Aberg has secured a PGA Tour card after he claimed the top spot on the PGA University Ranking, making him the first player to earn a PGA Tour place straight out of college. He will keep his Tour card for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
-
Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren On Site As Charlie Woods' School Earns Chance To Defend State TitleCharlie Woods and his The Benjamin School teammates did enough to progress in the Class 1A Region 4 tournament at Miami Shores Country Club on Monday
-
Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship Tee Times: Rounds One And TwoRory McIlroy is closing in on his sixth Race to Dubai title and he's grouped with his two closest challengers in the first two rounds of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
-
The 4 LIV Golfers Currently Qualified For The DP World Tour ChampionshipJon Rahm is one of four LIV Golf players in with a chance of qualifying for the DP World Tour Championship
-
Jon Rahm And Ludvig Aberg Among Big Names Missing Abu Dhabi Championship As Rory McIlroy Headlines FieldThe entry list for the first DP World Tour Play-Offs event is in, with the top 70 teeing it up at Yas Links next week
-
After Dramatic Build-up, Relieved Jon Rahm Ready For Record Open De Espana BidIt was a rollercoaster ride for Jon Rahm but he did finally make it into the Open de Espana field as he looks to win a record fourth title
-
Report: Jon Rahm To Make Open de Espana Appearance After Birth Of Third ChildThe Spaniard was in danger of missing his home open after withdrawing from the Wednesday Pro-Am, but it is reported he will be teeing it up in Madrid after the birth of his first daughter
-
How All 10 Of LIV’s New Players Fared In 2024A whole heap of new full-time players teed it up in the LIV Golf League throughout 2024, with some enjoying a better season than others...
-
Why It’s Not just $18m Up For Grabs In Rahm Vs Niemann LIV Golf DeciderJon Rahm and Joaquin Niemann will be fighting for the LIV Golf individual prize in Chicago which brings a unique championship ring including a QR code surprise
-
'The Ryder Cup Is Bigger Than Just The Match' - Padraig Harrington Has His Say On Jon Rahm EligibilityPadraig Harrington says he's a renowned stickler for the rules, which influences his take on whether Jon Rahm should be eligible for the Ryder Cup
-
Jon Rahm Eligible For DP World Tour After Officially Appealing SanctionsThe two-time Major winner will make his DP World Tour return later this month at the Open de Espana after appealing his sanctions for playing in LIV Golf events
