LOS CABOS, Mexico — Ben Griffin prevented the errors that slowed down his two challengers Sunday and sank three lengthy birdie putts for a 9-under 63 to win his third PGA Tour title of the season on the Worldwide Expertise Championship.
Griffin made a two-putt birdie on the par-5 18th at El Cardonal in Diamante for a two-stroke victory. He joins Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy as the one gamers with not less than three wins, and one among Griffin’s wins got here in a group occasion in New Orleans.
Enjoying for the second time since making his Ryder Cup debut, Griffin made 5 consecutive birdies beginning at No. 8. Amongst them: a 40-foot putt on the par-3 eleventh to take the lead, a 25-foot putt on the twelfth to take his first lead, and a 25-foot putt on the par-3 sixteenth to just about clinch the victory.
He birdied all 4 of the par 3s.
“After making some birdies early on, I used to be capable of push myself somewhat bit greater than the previous few weeks the place I used to be in a race to maintain my foot on the pedal,” Griffin mentioned. “Fortuitously, my putter received sizzling and I made a variety of putts on the again 9. It was enjoyable to be nervous and attempt to maintain it beneath management. I’m glad I used to be capable of make just a few putts within the second half.”
Griffin rose to a career-high No. 9 on this planet rankings.
Sami Valimaki (64) and Chad Ramey (65) tied for second place, a priceless comfort. Valimaki began this week in 103rd place within the FedEx Cup, however moved as much as 76th place and secured a spot on the complete card subsequent 12 months. Ramey has moved up from No. 123 to No. 89, so it is seemingly protected to maintain the cardboard.
There are two tournaments left earlier than the FedEx Cup prime 100 can keep full standing in 2026.
“My solely objective for the final three tournaments was to keep up my qualification for subsequent 12 months, so I believe this end ought to seal the deal,” Valimaki mentioned.
Griffin’s largest challenges have been Garrick Higgo and Carson Younger. They shared the lead till the again 9 on one other day with nearly no wind.
Higo missed his tee shot on the twelfth into the bushes, was penalized for an unplayable lie, and made double bogey. He shot a 68 and completed 3 behind.
Younger made a 15-foot birdie putt on No. 12 to tie Griffin at 27 beneath.
Nevertheless, his strategy on the thirteenth went down a slope to the left, throughout a cart path and into the native space. He hit a bogey, hit a pedestrian pitch on the par-5 14th and held off birdie, and three-putted for bogey on the fifteenth. He tied for sixth in photographs with 68.
Griffin had no such issues, other than a three-putt bogey on the fifth gap. From there he had a stable efficiency, ending at 29-under 259.
And his 12 months is not over but. He’s scheduled to marry Dana Maeloff subsequent month.
“It is loopy, successful three video games in the identical 12 months and getting married, there’s nothing higher than that,” Griffin mentioned.
Higgo moved as much as 52nd place within the FedEx Cup, securing a spot to play at Pebble Seashore and Riviera not less than early subsequent season. Each are main $20 million occasions. He completed tied for seventh or higher in 4 begins within the fall FedEx Cup.
“There’s a variety of great things,” Higo mentioned. “We’ve been competing for wins within the final 4 tournaments, so we simply should maintain doing what we’re doing.”
