Fresh off his first PGA Tour win, Ben Griffin shoots seven-under 65 to take early lead at Memorial in Ohio.
Ben Griffin showcased his exceptional form with a brilliant seven-under-par 65, grabbing the first-round lead at the prestigious Jack Nicklaus Memorial Tournament in Columbus, Ohio. The 29-year-old American, ranked 24th globally, built on his momentum after clinching his maiden PGA Tour victory just last week.
Griffin’s round was highlighted by a spectacular eagle on the seventh hole and an impressive string of birdies, including four of the final five holes, which put him firmly in control at seven under par. His steady and confident performance set the tone for the day, giving him a two-shot advantage over his closest pursuer, fellow American Collin Morikawa.
Morikawa, a two-time runner-up at this event, carded a solid five-under 67, leading the chase alongside Max Homa, who sits just one stroke further back at four under. Ireland’s Shane Lowry remains the leading European contender after finishing the day at three under par.
Despite Griffin’s early dominance, the field remains strong with notable names like Scottie Scheffler and Keegan Bradley both at two under, and well-known players such as Harris English, Robert MacIntyre, Jordan Spieth, and Tommy Fleetwood also on the leaderboard, poised for a challenge.
The tournament’s absence of Rory McIlroy—the Masters champion and former Memorial competitor—was a talking point. McIlroy, who is 36, opted to play next week’s Canadian Open instead. This marks the third time this year he has skipped one of the PGA Tour’s marquee events, also missing The Sentry and the RBC Heritage.
Jack Nicklaus himself expressed understanding of McIlroy’s choice, and PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan publicly defended the Northern Irishman’s schedule. Monahan highlighted McIlroy’s consistent support for the tour over the years, pointing to his extraordinary season, which includes winning the Players Championship, the Masters Tournament, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and completing his career Grand Slam.
“Rory McIlroy has played in this tournament every year since 2017,” Monahan said. “Look at the tournaments he’s supported. I don’t have any concern. His support of our tournaments and partners is extraordinary. Look at the season he’s had—it’s been life-altering.”
As the Memorial Tournament progresses, all eyes remain on Griffin to see if he can sustain his hot streak and contend for his second PGA Tour title in just two weeks. The course will undoubtedly test the field over the coming days, but Griffin’s confident start signals he is more than ready for the challenge.
