Ben Griffin of the United States plays his shot from the 11th tee during the first round of the Black Desert Championship 2024 at Black Desert Resort on October 10, 2024 in St George, Utah. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
At No. 61 in the FedEx Cup during the regular season, Ben Griffin is playing this fall without the stress of having his job on the line.
“It’s a lot better than being 120 to 130 right now. Let’s put it that way,” he said. “I feel like I’m pretty freed up. Just trying to chase down a win this fall.”
Griffin shot 66 on Friday, including holing out from 204 yards for eagle at the 504-yard part-4 13th, and improved to 9 under heading into the weekend.
Griffin has posted three runner-up finishes during the last two seasons but hasn’t won a Tour-sanctioned event since 2018 on the Canadian Tour, though, so winning is his top goal – more than qualifying for Signature events.
“Getting a win and more job security for a few years would be nicer,” he said. “I talked to Rickie Fowler last year when I had finished second in one of the fall events. He’s like, “Dude, it took me three, four years to get my first win even though I’m only 35 and it seems like I’ve been on Tour forever.’ It’s just the way it goes. I feel like you give yourself enough chances you get more and more comfortable. You learn from your experiences when you finish second, at least I have.”
Of those previous close calls with visiting the winner’s circle, Griffin said, “I feel like I put myself in just about every position possible around the lead, and it’s just a matter of holding it off.”
