Keegan Bradley will be absolutely delighted to see Ben Griffin leading the Procore Championship with Scottie Scheffler just two shots behind with one round to play in Napa.
With the Ryder Cup looming, Ben Griffin is staking a big claim to play a prominent role at Bethpage. He leads heading into Sunday at Silverado as he looks to win for a third time this year on the PGA Tour.
Griffin was tipped by some to be in danger of missing out on a Ryder Cup pick. He seemed to be in some danger of being overlooked if Keegan Bradley decided to pick himself. However, Griffin is showing exactly why Bradley did name him in his ranks.
But that does not mean that he will go into the final round of the Procore Championship as the favourite in the eyes of many.
Ben Griffin suggests whether he is concerned about Scottie Scheffler at the Procore Championship
Scottie Scheffler will tee it up in the penultimate group in California after a superb 64 on Saturday. The world number one climbed 11 places in the third round to leave himself within touching distance of his Ryder Cup teammate.
Scheffler has been outstanding in recent months. He has won five of his last 11 events, including two majors. Meanwhile, you would have to go back to March for the last time Scheffler finished outside of the top 10.
Nevertheless, Griffin insisted after his third round that he is not overly concerned about Scheffler being so close as he prepares to charge for the line on Sunday.
“Yeah, it’s not the first time it’s happened. I think Charles Schwab maybe he was in the group or two behind me and ultimately I won. So I know I can do it,” he said.
“Not too worried about what he’s going to do, I’ve just got to play better than him, and if I do that tomorrow, should be able to lift the trophy. Obviously there’s some other guys there in the mix too, but I think everyone knows what Scottie Scheffler’s capable of and I’ve just got to stay in front.”
Ben Griffin issues his verdict on Jackson Koivun
Of course, there has been plenty of talk surrounding the player who separates Griffin and Scheffler right now. Jackson Koivun has a genuine opportunity to become the first amateur to win on the PGA Tour since Nick Dunlap.
Koivun has posted three rounds in the 60s this week to put himself in the final group with Griffin on Sunday.
And speaking to the media, Griffin issued his verdict on what he has seen from the 20-year-old.
“I have spent a little time with him. I don’t know if we played a round or not. Maybe we played nine holes out here on Tour before,” he said.
“But yeah, he’s a heck of a player. He’s proven a lot out here on Tour even though he’s still in college. I know he’s got a ton of game, he’s right there second place in a Tour event going into Sunday, so he can play just as well as Scottie, just as well as me.
“I’ve just got to focus on myself and stay aggressive and try to make a ton of birdies tomorrow and not have to worry about anyone.”
Clearly, Scheffler is not going to be passing the torch to anyone anytime soon. However, this week perhaps provides a fascinating glimpse into the future with Koivun proving to be a name to keep a very close eye on.
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