Ben Griffin Takes Commanding Lead at 2025 Memorial Tournament
Muirfield Village, Ohio—The 2025 Memorial Tournament kicked off in spectacular fashion, with Ben Griffin surging to a commanding lead after the first round. Griffin, fresh off his first win at the Charles Schwab Challenge, finished with an impressive 7-under par 65, placing him two strokes ahead of Collin Morikawa.
Griffin’s performance was remarkable, defying the challenges of the notoriously difficult Muirfield Village course. Despite encountering difficulties, including two water hazards, he rebounded with four birdies in his last five holes. "It was an incredible day," said Griffin. "I felt like I was building on what I did last week, staying aggressive and making birdies."
Strong Competitors Also Shine
Following Griffin on the leaderboard is Collin Morikawa, who wrapped up his day at 5-under par. The two-time major champion displayed consistent play, highlighted by impressive accuracy off the tee, hitting 12 out of 14 fairways. Morikawa remains a serious contender, having previously been a runner-up at this tournament.
"I’m trying to trust myself that I’m playing good enough golf to win," Morikawa noted after his round.
Other notable performances included Max Homa and Shane Lowry, who finished at 4-under and 3-under par, respectively. Homa expressed confidence in his game, stating, "Everything’s felt really good. I didn’t feel uncomfortable pretty much the whole day."
Defending Champion Faces Challenges
Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1 and defending champion, experienced a more challenging day on the course, finishing with a 70—five strokes behind Griffin. Scheffler struggled with his accuracy, hitting only six fairways, but remains optimistic about improving in the upcoming rounds. "I need to give myself some more looks," he said, acknowledging that quality opportunities would be crucial moving forward.
The Leaderboard Snapshot
As of the end of the first round, the leaderboard stands as follows:
- Ben Griffin (-7)
- Collin Morikawa (-5)
- Max Homa (-4)
- Tied: Shane Lowry, Keegan Bradley, Nick Taylor (-3)
- Tied: Scottie Scheffler, Si Woo Kim, Andrew Novak, Akshay Bhatia (-2)
Impending Cut and Notable Struggles
As is tradition at the Memorial Tournament, a cut will be made after the second round, with only the top 50 players and ties advancing. This has significant implications for some big names. Two-time major champion Justin Thomas, reeling from a disappointing performance in the PGA Championship, struggled with a score above 80 and could be facing an early exit. Other stars like Adam Scott and Matt Fitzpatrick also found themselves in difficult positions, each shooting 4-over or worse.
Looking Ahead
As the tournament progresses, the attention will be on Griffin to see if he can maintain his lead against formidable competitors like Morikawa and Homa. The stakes are high, not just for the $20 million purse, but for players eager to secure their positions leading into major championships.
In summary, Griffin’s hot start at the Memorial Tournament underscores the unpredictable nature of golf, particularly on challenging courses like Muirfield Village. As the leaderboard shapes up, the coming days promise not just fierce competition but potential upsets as the cut looms near.
