Ben Griffin wins second title of the season on PGA Tour

Ben Griffin started the day tied for the lead at the Charles Schwab Challenge and fired an eagle at the par-5 1st followed by a birdie at the 2nd before making four bogeys to close with a 1-over 71 for a 12-under 268 total.

Griffin earned his first solo PGA Tour victory in his 94th start at the age of 29, having won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans earlier this year with partner Andrew Novak. He becomes the fourth multiple winner this season, joining Rory McIlroy (3), Scottie Scheffler (2) and Sepp Straka (2).

“Incredible week. My golf game felt great all week long. I was very confident out there. Put in a lot of hard work really all of this year leading up to, I mean, you could say this, but arguably the last month and a half or so. I’ve been really proud of not only putting in the hard work but seeing some results,” said Griffin.

“Got off to an incredible start,” he continued.  “This golf course early on in the round, you know, really just 1 and 2, those are birdie holes out of the gate. You have to take advantage of those because there’s a lot of really difficult par-4s. Par-3s are all tough. The entire golf course is very tricky.

“It can feel easy from time to time, but you can get barely out of position, and all of a sudden you’re grinding for bogey. If you are four paces further left and have a gap, you can be making birdie. So it’s very much a positional golf course.

“I took advantage of the early holes. Kind of had some hiccups mid-round. I did the same thing yesterday. It’s not like necessarily something was off. It’s just you get out of position a little bit, and it’s hard. You leave yourself an 8-footer and you don’t make it, and all of a sudden you’re writing down a bogey.

“The back nine was quite the grind. I didn’t go into the back nine only hoping to hit I think one or two greens in regulation, however many. I think I hit the green in regulation on 10, 11, and 12, and didn’t hit a green from then on. It’s just very difficult, very challenging.

“I’m proud of the way I scrambled down the stretch. A hell of a chip-in by Matti on 18 to apply the pressure. That was crazy. Certainly when I’m over my chip on 18, you always have to expect your opponent to make their next shot, but I was in a difficult lie and was very happy to — gave it a really good run and almost went this. Left myself a 4-footer. After he chipped in, I was, like, All right, I guess have you to make this one now, as opposed to lagging it up there.

“It was incredible to win today, and so many people to thank. Very proud to be the Charles Schwab Champion.”

The American improves to 1-for-3 with the 54-hole lead/co-lead in individual stroke-play events on Tour. He also held the 54-hole lead in the Zurich Classic in New Orleans en route to victory.

36- and 54-hole co-leader Matti Schmid of Germany made six birdies, six birdies and a double bogey at the par-4 5th for a 72 and finishes with a career-best runner-up in his 79th start (previous best: T3/2024 Shriners Children’s Open, 3rd/2023 Butterfield Bermuda Championship). He will make his first signature event start at next week’s Memorial Tournament.

American Bud Cauley signed for a 67 featuring one double bogey at the par-3 13th to earn solo-third place at 9-under, matching his career-best finish (3rd/2011 Procore Championship, 3rd/2012 Wyndham Championship, T3/2017 The American Express).

England’s Tommy Fleetwood fired five birdies and three bogeys and carded a 68 for a share of fourth place at 9-under. He recorded his 41st top-10 finish in his 156th start, the most top 10 finishes without a win on Tour since 1983 (second: 34/Brett Quigley).

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler of the United States was seeking to become the second player to win the Charles Schwab Challenge and the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in the same season (Ben Hogan/1946). He made two birdies and one bogey for a 69 and tied for fourth, earning his fourth consecutive top-five finish at Colonial (2nd/2022, T3/2023, T2/2024, T4/2025).

Aon Next 10 and Aon Swing 5

Aon Next 10: The top 10 players in the FedExCup standings not otherwise exempt following the Charles Schwab Challenge qualified for the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday.

Aon Swing 5: The top five players not otherwise exempt who earn the most FedExCup points during the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic and the Charles Schwab Challenge qualified for next week’s Memorial Tournament.

Related: Kristoffer Reitan fires course record and wins first DP World Tour title in playoff

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