PGA Tour Pro Goes from Mortgage Broker to Champion at Colonial

Professional golf is quite fickle. You never really know when things are going to click. For Ben Griffin, that has clearly been the year 2025.

Griffin fired off a 1-over 71 to hold off Matti Schmid by one stroke to claim victory at the Charles Schwab Challenge. It was a very difficult day, not only for Griffin, but for the entire field as Colonial provided a stiff test.

After sinking a four-foot par putt on 18 to win, CBS Sports’ Amanda Balionis asked Griffin how he handled his nerves over his final putt.

“First of all, it was like whack-a-mole hitting that third shot,” Griffin said with a smile. “I gripped down to the hosel on the wedge. In my head, I was thinking ‘Matti might make that [birdie putt].’ Fortunately I had that four-footer and I felt pretty good over it.”

“It was just a left-edge and trust it and let it slide in there. Awesome to get my second win. So many people to thank, so many people in my corner. I am very blessed.”

As Griffin and his playing partner Matti Schmid approached the 18th tee box, the former held a two-shot lead. But Schmid played the hole perfectly, birdinging the par-4 18th to apply some pressure.

But Griffin did not let that bother him as he calmly sank the par putt for the win.

As he mentioned, this is his second win of the year, but first by himself. He and Andrew Novak won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the only team event on the PGA Tour schedule.

Things have not always come easy for Griffin. He spent years on lesser tours and has openly talked about accruing a ton of credit card debt. It appeared as though his dream of becoming a professional golfer was over.

In 2021, Griffin put the clubs away and took a job as a mortgage loan officer. That was going to be his future. But a friend prompted him to enter a Qualifier on his friend’s dime.

Even though he did not make the cut, it sparked his love for the game again. His grandfather’s passing, along with wise words prior, led to his decision to try and make it as a professional once again.

Here we are four years later, and Griffin just won $1.7 million. Safe to say, that credit card debt is a thing of the past.

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