SOUTHAMPTON (Bermuda) – The backdrop of turquoise water is breathtaking, especially when the sun shines for long periods of time during Saturday’s third round at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship. This week’s PGA TOUR tournament is not about natural beauty. It is the backdrop that best reflects the amazing game. You will be surrounded by a number of TOUR veterans who have probably played in more than 1,500 tournaments and aren’t inclined to stop playing. Seamus Power and Aaron Baddeley are three examples. But it is Ben Griffin that grabs your attention. He left the PGA TOUR in 2021 at 24 with just two tournaments to his name. He didn’t lack the game but he was a great person. Griffin said, “It’s tough financially.” Griffin said, “It is difficult financially.” They are now at 18-under for this tournament. Kevin Yu, a 24-year-old PGA TOUR rookie, is also chasing his first victory. He is tied for third with Baddeley (41), while Gay, 50, is in fifth. This adds to the unique mix that golf seamlessly creates time and again. Griffin’s story is what resonates across the leaderboard. Power, an Irishman who is well-versed in resilience, said, “Look, it’s a tough sport.” Power turned professional in 2011, but he didn’t make the PGA TOUR for six years. It’s an individual sport, and each sport has its ups and downs. It’s not for everyone. What is compelling is the story of a long shot who is unknown and unheralded. That is Griffin. Griffin was financially supported by Mike Swann, Doug Sieg, and Jesse Ahearn. He returned to golf in 2021 after he passed the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament. He played consistently well and earned a PGA TOUR card in 2022-23. Griffin has lived some of the expectations for Sunday’s final round. Griffin was able to pass a Monday qualifier at Wyndham Championship and made it through to the final round. He also tossed down two 64s over the weekend to place joint fourth. Ok, so Griffin won’t be able to top the story of Tom Kim (the South Korean phenom closed with 61 to win by five), however Griffin will still draw on what happened at Wyndham. “Having that experience at the PGA TOUR, playing a championship – not necessarily being able to win but trying to get as high as possible. . . Griffin said that his experience will help him a lot. He is not the only one to admit that his experience doesn’t match the level of the stuff he’s playing against. Gay has five PGA TOUR victories, including this one in 2021. Baddeley is a four time winner and seems to play at his best when his status is at stake. Power, an Irishman who played at East Tennessee State, is another example. Power finished strong with five birdies and a strong finish (birdies at Nos. 16 and 17, and seems to smile when the wind crackles flags as it did on Saturday. He has travelled a lot, taking minitour after minitour. It may not have been as Griffin’s story, but it is not unsimilar. “I have always loved the game. Power said that he loves competing. His story is full of admiration. He has stormed to No. 48 in the Official World Golf Ranking. There are low points. “There are some low points, yes. But it’s the days like today that things turn around for you and make up for the (rough) days.” If perseverance and second chances are your forte and longshots and hard work pay off, the final round at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship will likely bring you something positive. Griffin is delighted to be a part of the event, no matter what happens. Griffin is awestruck by his surroundings, even though it’s not turquoise water. Griffin said, “You never know what the future will bring you.” “You can only be grateful for the help of all those who are around you,” Griffin said.
By: Jim McCabe
Title: Ben Griffin shows character to revive PGA TOUR dream
Sourced From: www.pgatour.com/news/2022/10/29/ben-griffin-pga-tour-dream-loan-officer-seamus-power-butterfield-bermuda-championship.html
Published Date: Sat, 29 Oct 2022 14:30:00 -0400
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