Ben Griffin has been making waves on the PGA Tour this season, and as he entered the final round of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio, he was just one stroke behind Scottie Scheffler, the man who ultimately defended his title with a stellar performance. Griffin, 28, has shown remarkable resilience both on and off the course, overcoming personal and physical challenges to emerge as a serious contender in the world of professional golf.
Griffin’s journey back to the top tiers of golf is nothing short of inspiring. After losing his motivation for the game and grappling with $15,000 in credit card debt, he temporarily stepped away from professional golf to work as a mortgage loan officer in his native North Carolina. This hiatus, however, served as a reset button. He returned to the tour in 2021 and has since amassed over $11 million in earnings across 94 starts. His recent victories at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, alongside Andrew Novak, and the Charles Schwab Challenge have cemented his status as a rising star.
At the Memorial Tournament, Griffin found himself trailing Scheffler by just one stroke after three rounds. Scheffler, who played a historic bogey-free round, began the final day with a one-shot lead and wasted no time, birdieing the first six holes. Griffin, meanwhile, answered Scheffler’s early dominance with his own clutch shots, notably sinking a 12-foot eagle putt on the 15th hole and following it up with a 27-foot birdie at the 16th, pulling within two strokes of the lead.
However, the drama intensified on the 17th hole. Scheffler dropped his approach just inside 20 feet and secured a routine par, while Griffin struggled, needing four shots to reach the green and ultimately carding a double bogey. This setback widened the gap to four strokes, a margin Scheffler maintained by closing out the round with a seven-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole.
Scheffler’s victory marked his third tournament win in a month and his 16th PGA Tour title, achieved in just under three and a half years—a pace that ranks him fourth fastest behind legends Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods. This Memorial win was his first successful title defense among nine worldwide victories last year, and it positions him as the favorite heading into the upcoming US Open at Oakmont, where he aims for his fourth major title and second consecutive major win.
Meanwhile, Griffin's performance at Muirfield Village was a testament to his grit and skill, especially considering the personal obstacles he continues to face. About a year ago, Griffin began experiencing floaters in his vision, a condition linked to retinal holes that threatened to detach his retina. After consulting with an eye specialist, he underwent laser surgery to treat eight retinal holes in both eyes. While the surgery prevented further damage, it did not restore his vision fully, and he still sees floaters.
This visual impairment has led Griffin to adopt a distinctive style on the course: wearing sunglasses during play, a practice he began at the 2024 RBC Canadian Open, where he finished second. Initially, he wore a pair of designer knockoffs but soon switched to aviator-style sunglasses endorsed by fellow Tour pro C.T. Pan. Griffin even Venmoed Pan $20 to obtain his own pair. These sunglasses help darken the field of vision, making the floaters less noticeable, especially in bright conditions typical of golf courses with limited shade.
Griffin credits the sunglasses not only for reducing the distraction caused by floaters but also for improving his ability to read greens and perceive slopes. He explained, "Sunglasses are solely just to make it darker and, honestly, it helps with the floaters because the floaters are dark, and so when it's really bright they're way more defined, especially on a golf course where there's not much shade. So, when I have the sunglasses on I don't see 'em quite as much. That's really the only benefit." He also added that the science behind his USwing Mojing sunglasses helps with contrast and grain changes on greens, enhancing his short game.
Speaking of his short game, Griffin’s prowess around the greens has roots in his childhood. During the 2008 recession, his family faced financial hardships that forced them to downsize their home and give up their country club membership. Despite these challenges, Griffin's parents ensured he had access to public courses, where he honed his chipping and putting skills, often practicing with limited resources. "I would chip and putt all day," Griffin recalled. "I would hit maybe a half bucket of balls for $5 or whatever it was, and my parents, they always considered themselves middle to upper class, but I knew there for a little bit when we lost our house, when we lost everything. I know they sacrificed a lot for me." This background has shaped Griffin into a short-game magician, a vital component of his recent successes.
Beyond the course, Griffin has made significant lifestyle changes that have contributed to his improved performance. He stopped drinking alcohol during the season and adopted a vegan diet, inspired by his girlfriend's suggestion and supported by research indicating veganism helps with inflammation. "I eat for energy," Griffin said. "Research says veganism helps with inflammation. I’ve never felt better." Additionally, he began taking creatine for muscle recovery and mass gain, noting that a majority of Tour players use it. His dedication to fitness has resulted in a noticeable increase in ball speed, averaging 176 mph this year compared to 172 mph in 2024, translating to about 17 extra yards off the tee. Griffin emphasized that this gain stems from hard work in the gym rather than the supplement alone, stating, "I'm working out harder than I ever have, so I got to make sure I'm consuming a lot of protein. And, yeah, I feel like I'm doing the right things, just got to keep plugging along, and I'll keep taking creatine."
Griffin’s roots run deep in North Carolina, where he grew up playing golf with his father and grandfather. By age 16, he was traveling solo to junior tournaments, managing logistics independently due to his parents' work commitments. He played college golf at the University of North Carolina, where his intimate knowledge of the home course gave him a competitive edge, much to the chagrin of his teammates. Griffin also advocates for modernizing pace of play rules, suggesting the use of rangefinders while banning yardage books to speed up rounds.
Most recently, Griffin relocated from St. Simons Island, Georgia, to Jupiter, Florida, a move that aligns with his sponsorship deal with TruGreen, a PGA Tour partner. He looks forward to maintaining a lawn at his new home, ideal for practicing his short game, and appreciates the support of his sponsors as he continues to climb the ranks.
As Griffin eyes a second consecutive victory following his Charles Schwab Challenge win, the battle with Scheffler remains intense. Scheffler’s remarkable consistency and Griffin’s resilient comeback spirit have made this season’s Memorial Tournament a thrilling spectacle. While Scheffler’s flawless bogey-free round and clutch putting secured his victory by four strokes, Griffin’s determination and unique approach to managing his vision challenges have earned him widespread admiration.
The golf world now watches closely as Griffin and Scheffler prepare for the upcoming US Open at Oakmont, where both players will seek to add to their growing legacies. Griffin’s story is a compelling reminder that perseverance, innovation, and hard work can overcome adversity, making him not just a golfer to watch but an inspiration across the sport.
