Ben Griffin’s Breakout Symphony: 65 Notes of Promise at Muirfield Village
The unassuming American leads the Memorial Tournament with a career-best round, serenading fans and stats alike under cloudy Ohio skies.
Paju, Korea - Ben Griffin’s surge to the top of the Memorial Tournament leaderboard came with a touch of grit, a splash or two in the water, and a whole lot of brilliance. The 27-year-old American carved out a seven-under 65 on Thursday, not just to grab his first 18-hole lead on the PGA TOUR, but to lay down his finest ever opening statement at Muirfield Village.
Griffin’s round was a mix of resilience and artistry. Two water balls – the kind that typically drown any good vibes – couldn’t halt his momentum. Instead, he closed with three straight birdies, a solo feat unmatched on the day. Leading the field in both strokes gained around the green and putting, his confidence was visible with every step. “I didn’t flinch after the mistakes,” Griffin might’ve said, “I just stayed in the moment, one putt at a time.”
The performance comes just a week after Griffin’s maiden individual PGA TOUR win at the Charles Schwab Challenge. Add to that his Zurich Classic team triumph five weeks ago, and his name now joins the rare club of two-time winners this season – alongside heavyweights like McIlroy and Scheffler.
Behind him, Collin Morikawa’s precision was as surgical as ever. A five-under 67 – his best at Muirfield in nearly a dozen tries – was underpinned by the best tee-to-green play in the field. Max Homa (68) and a trio at 69, including Shane Lowry and Keegan Bradley, lurk close.
But this Thursday belonged to Griffin. A player once better known for his promise than his presence, he now looks perfectly poised to write a new chapter at Jack’s Place – one where his story is no longer about making a splash, but staying afloat at the top.