Ben Griffin’s bid to conquer the BMW Championship hit a stinging setback Sunday at Caves Valley, as a short-game mishap laid the groundwork for a brutal start to the round.
Griffin opened the final round at 2-under for the week, but three holes in he had slipped to 2-over after a nightmare sequence that overshadowed what had been a solid path to a strong finish. On the first hole, he found himself above the green and, after a sharp pitch to four feet, faced a routine par attempt that didn’t go in. He tapped in for a bogey after missing the par-saving putt and then missed another from 2 feet 5 inches, pulling off a lipout that led to a triple bogey seven.
Things barely improved on the second hole, where Griffin sprayed his tee shot out of bounds on the Par 4, resulting in a double bogey. A bogey on the Par 3 third completed a rough stretch, though he steadied with a pair of pars to end the front nine.
The tough start comes at an inopportune moment for Griffin. He’s chasing a spot not only in the FedEx Cup playoffs but also a potential captain’s pick for the U.S. Ryder Cup team. Despite finishing strong enough to likely secure a Top 30 finish and a berth in next week’s Tour Championship, the early brutality of his round will certainly complicate his Ryder Cup hopes.
Context and performance notes from the week add texture to Griffin’s struggles. Griffin entered the BMW Championship with a reputation for hard-to-mistake 4-foot putts, yet the day underscored the volatility that can accompany the most routine short-game situations. After a run of form that includes a 4-foot-and-in putting average around the mid-to-upper range, this round will be a tough reminder that even small margins can swing a tournament in golf.
Looking ahead, Griffin still has opportunities to rebound in the coming weeks. A return to form on the greens, particularly from within a few feet, could restore momentum as he stays locked in the FedEx Cup chase and nudges toward Ryder Cup consideration. In the sport’s high-stakes environment, short-game confidence can be the difference between a missed opportunity and a breakthrough, and Griffin’s resilience will be watched closely as he continues to navigate the season’s closing events.