Ben Griffin showcased an exceptional performance in Los Cabos, Mexico, winning the World Wide Technology Championship with a stunning 9-under par 63. This victory marks Griffin's third title on the PGA Tour this season, joining elite company alongside Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, both of whom also have three wins this year.
On the final day at El Cardonal at Diamante, Griffin displayed remarkable composure, avoiding the mistakes that hindered his opponents. Two-putting for birdie on the par-5 18th hole, he secured a two-shot victory. "After making a few birdies early, I kind of pushed myself a little bit harder than the past few weeks when I was in contention to kind of keep the pedal down," Griffin explained. His determination paid off, especially on the challenging back nine where he found his rhythm with the putter.
Beginning with five consecutive birdies starting at No. 8, Griffin electrified the crowd. Among those birdies was a notable 40-foot putt on the par-3 11th that tied him for the lead. "Fortunately, the putter heated up, made a lot of putts on the back nine. It was fun feeling the nerves down the stretch trying to hold things off," he remarked, reflecting on his performance under pressure.
Griffin’s latest triumph propelled him to a career-high ranking of No. 9 in the world. His efforts have not only established him as one of the tour's top performers but also demonstrated his ability to thrive during high-stakes situations.
Sami Valimaki, who shot a 64, and Chad Ramey with a 65, tied for second place, gaining points crucial for their FedEx Cup standings. Valimaki, entering the week at No. 103 in the standings, advanced to No. 76. "These last three tournaments, the only goal was to kind of keep the playing rights for the next year, so I think they should be a done deal with this finish," Valimaki said, relieved and optimistic about maintaining his full card for the upcoming season.
Griffin's major competitors on the final day included Garrick Higgo and Carson Young, who shared the lead heading into the final stretch. However, Higgo faced a tough break on the 12th hole with a tee shot that found a bush, forcing a penalty that led to a double bogey. His final score of 68 left him three shots behind Griffin. Young, who had made a 15-foot birdie putt on the 12th to tie Griffin at 27 under, fell back due to a string of misfortunes, ultimately finishing tied for sixth with a score of 68.
Griffin’s only setback came from an early three-putt bogey on the fifth hole, but he quickly bounced back, going on to finish the tournament at 29-under 259. With two tournaments left before the cutoff for the top 100 in the FedEx Cup standings, players are focused on securing their tour cards for the next year.
Looking ahead, Griffin is set to add another significance to his year as he prepares for his upcoming wedding to Dana Myeroff next month. "Crazy, three wins and getting married in the same year, hard to beat," Griffin said, expressing enthusiasm for what lies ahead in both his professional and personal life.
As the season progresses, Griffin’s consistent performance underscores his growth and potential within the sport. In a year filled with notable achievements, his victory in Mexico solidifies his standing in the golf world and sets a promising tone for future events.