Griffin maintains scorching performance, registering 65 for tournament lead at Memorial Tournament
American golfer Ben Griffin carried his exceptional form from his second PGA Tour win of the season, reaching the turn at five under par. The 29-year-old displayed his skills on the par-five seventh, driving his approach shot a staggering 260 yards and sinking a 12-foot putt for an impressive eagle.
However, trouble loomed on the back nine as Griffin made bogeys on the par-five 11th and the par-three 12th, both resulting in finding water. Despite these setbacks, Griffin ended the round in style with three consecutive birdies, securing a two-stroke advantage over fellow American Collin Morikawa.
Reacting to his performance, Griffin acknowledged the two water balls and expressed the need to improve his game. He also highlighted his aggressive strategy, which he believed is crucial on tough courses like this one.
His latest win came last month at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, where he partnered with Andrew Novak to secure the team event victory. The North Carolina native's comeback to professional golf, following a hiatus in 2021 to work as a mortgage loan officer due to financial pressures and burnout, has yielded remarkable success. His two PGA Tour victories in 2025 and various top-10 finishes have moved him to fifth in the FedEx Cup rankings.
Griffin expressed his gratitude to those who had helped him return to golf and achieve his current success.
Morikawa, a two-time major winner, is seeking his first win on the PGA Tour since his sixth victory at a tour-sanctioned event in Japan in October 2023. His last victory on US soil was at Bradenton over four years ago, but he has retained hope of returning to winning ways.
American Max Homa trailed Griffin by three strokes, with a group of players, including Ireland's Shane Lowry, Canada's Nick Taylor, and USA Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley, one stroke further back at three under.
Australian Adam Scott struggled, making a triple bogey on the par-four third after finding water, resulting in a seven-over 79. England's Justin Rose also struggled, shooting 78 with a triple bogey on the par-three 12th.
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Canada's Nick Taylor, one stroke further back at three under, aims to capitalize on this opportunity in the upcoming rounds, hoping to replicate the success he achieved earlier this year at the RBC Canadian Open, where he won his second PGA Tour title.
Despite Ben Griffin's impressive performance in golf, it's intriguing to imagine how he might fare in other sports, particularly those popular in Canada, such as hockey and basketball.
