Ben Griffin sealed his second PGA TOUR victory of the season—and his first individual title—with a one-shot victory at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Texas.
The 29-year-old American came into the final round at Colonial Country Club with a share of the lead alongside Germany’s Matt Schmid after both had matching scores of 66, 63, and 68 in the first three rounds.
An eagle-birdie start for Griffin helped him breakaway from Schmid for the first time in the event and give him the edge during the very early stages of the final round. However, consecutive bogeys at 6 and 7 helped the German cut the lead down to a single shot as they approached the back nine. Conditions became increasingly challenging due to the blustery winds but it was the American who held his nerve throughout the latter stages of the final round. Despite picking up bogeys at 13 and 16, Griffin held on to collect his second PGA TOUR title of the season by carding a one-over 71 to end the tournament on 12 under, a shot clear of Schmid.
Victory comes in his 94th appearance on the PGA TOUR with his only other success coming at last month’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans where he teamed up with fellow American Andrew Novak. He earns the handsome $1.7m prize as well as a custom built 1992 Schwab Defender.
“It was difficult and such a grind down the stretch,” Griffin said. “The wind was taking the ball offline, so it was down to managing the conditions. I was aiming for the middle of the greens and the wind was taking it.
“It’s awesome to see a track like this, that’s not that long, with a low score winning. My game feels great and it’s awesome to now be a two-time PGA TOUR winner.”
Home favorite and World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who was on the hunt for a third triumph in as many weeks, entered the final round six shots behind the leaders and was unable to make a serious challenge, only sinking two birdies in his final-round 69 to end in T4 with England’s Tommy Fleetwood and one short of American Bud Could who shot an impressive 67 to climb up to third.
What is the next event?
The next event on the PGA TOUR schedule is the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday taking place between May 29 – June 1 at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio.