Ben Griffin Is Proving the Ball-Knowers Right

Ben Griffin has balled out all year long, so it was a little surprising to see shock and awe across part of social media when Keegan Bradley picked him for Team USA—I mean, the guy’s the 17th-ranked player in the world.

But us Ball-Knowers, we knew that was the right call—and he’s proving us right so far this week at the Procore Championship.

Griffin, who won the Zurich Classic with Andrew Novak and the Charles Schwab Challenge, and finished T-14 or better in 10 of his final 12 starts of the season, opened with a bogey-free 8-under 64 at Silverado Resort on Thursday. After a quick afternoon-to-morning turnaround, the man bound for Bethpage turned in another blemish-free scorecard, this one with a 6-under 66 written in the last column.

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When he signed his card, he held a three-shot lead over teammate Russell Henley—Mackenzie Hughes (9-under) is part of the afternoon wave, so he has a chance to catch or pass Griffin by day’s end.

Regardless, Griffin is once again in prime position to chase a win that would be his third of the calendar year. Exactly what he was looking for heading into arguably the biggest event he’s ever pegged it at.

And a few other members of Bradley’s squad put in some work over the first 36 holes.

Henley (65-68) and J.J. Spaun (67-68), both Ryder Cup rookies, are 11-under and 9-under, respectively. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who will make his third appearance at the biennial bash, is 6-under—as we all know, he’s never too far back to win a golf tournament.

“I've been thinking about (the Ryder Cup) a lot,” Henley said Friday. “It's a dream come true being able to play on the team, and getting to play with two teammates (Scheffler and Spaun) this week was really cool these first two days. Definitely thinking about it a lot, but trying to make sure this is a good week of prep.”

As for the rest of the squad, here’s where they sit after two rounds at the Procore Championship—reminder: Xander Schauffele (dad duty) and Bryson DeChambeau (LIV) aren’t in the field.

Team USA Scores at the Procore Championship

Ben Griffin: 64-66 (14-under)

Russell Henley: 65-68 (11-under)

J.J. Spaun: 67-68 (9-under)

Scottie Scheffler: 70-68 (6-under)

Cameron Young: 72-67 (5-under)

Collin Morikawa: 72-68 (4-under)

Justin Thomas: 72-70 (2-under)

Harris English: 72-70 (2-under)

Sam Burns: 71-72 (1-under)

Patrick Cantlay: 72-71 (1-under)

Oh, and if you’re wondering how Team Europe is doing across the pond at the BMW PGA Championship—Sepp Straka (dad duty) is the only member missing—here’s where they sit after 36 holes at Wentworth.