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Ben Griffin has surprised everyone with his impressive game so far at the Players Championship. The PGA Tour rookie is tied for third after two days at TPC Sawgrass, aggregating at 6-under after 36 holes.
The 26-year-old said after his second round at Players that veganism has played a significant role in his success.
"Yeah, I've been plant based for almost a year now, trying to eat healthier, said Griffin. "I have a lot of energy. I get done with the 18th hole and I feel like I can go back out and try to make more birdies right away. A lot of guys get tired. I credit some of that, whether it's less alcohol or veganism, to my overall health, just feeling better and feeling energized."
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He added that veganism has benefited him a lot. Ben Griffin continued:
"It might not be for everyone, but I've really enjoyed it. I've been playing good golf doing it, so I don't see any reason why I would ever stop," said the PGA Tour rookie.
Two years ago, Griffin started doing a desk job as a loan officer, pushing back his PGA Tour dreams.
Ben Griffin always wanted to play professional golf but there were financial struggles too which led him to make this decision. Griffin, who graduated from UNC in 2018, played on the Korn Ferry Tour and smaller tournaments but lost his KFT card in 2019 as he failed to get through Qualifying School before the pandemic.
He didn't have many options but to go through rigid Monday qualifiers. Overwhelmed by the pressure, Griffin opted to prepare for accreditation exams and subsequently secured a position as a loan officer at CIMG Residential Mortgage located in Chapel Hill, N.C.
“I was a loan officer, so I was financing homes, residential mortgages from I guess the end of March, beginning of April until end of July, beginning of August of 2021,” Griffin said.
Fast forward to today, the 26-year-old has made six top-25 finishes and missed only two cuts in his first PGA Tour season.
"Very blessed to have the sponsors that I do to have helped me get back to where I am, and yeah, to make a push like this is just awesome,” Ben Griffin added.
Ben Griffin at T-3 as big names set to falter in a weather-affected second round at the Players Championship
The second day of the 2023 Players Championship wasn't easy for the golfers as they saw some pretty crazy weather conditions at TPC Sawgrass. Only 15 pros were able to complete their rounds. Christian Bezuidenhout and Adam Svensson are currently in the lead. at 8-under. Bezuidenhout completed 14 holes of the second round at 4 under. Svensson was also 4 under as he could only play 11 holes.
Ben Griffin, Collin Morikawa, and Min Woo Lee are tied for third at 6-under. While Griffin completed the round, Lee is yet to play three more holes and Morikawa has played 11 of round 2.
The shocker came with World No. 1 Jon Rahm withdrawing from the tournament citing illness. Rory McIlroy, one of the favorites to win, is set to miss the cut as he is 6-over after 28 holes so far.
