Ben Griffin wins third PGA Tour title of the year in Mexico

LOS CABOS, Mexico — Ben Griffin avoided the mistakes that slowed down two challengers and made three long birdie putts to shoot a 9-under 63 and win the World Skills Championship on Sunday, his third PGA Tour title of the season.

Griffin two-putted for birdie on the par-5 18th hole at El Cardonal in Diamante to win by two strokes. He joins Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy as the only players with at least three wins, one of which was Griffin in the team event in New Orleans.

Griffin, playing in his second tournament since his Ryder Cup debut, made five consecutive birdies starting at No. 8. These included a 40-foot putt on the par-3 11th hole to tie the lead, a 25-foot putt on the 12th hole to take the lead for the first time, and a 25-foot putt on the par-3 16th hole that almost sealed the victory.

He birdied all four par-3s.

“After a couple of birdies early, I was a lot harder on myself than I had been the past few weeks when I’d been trying to keep my foot on the gas pedal,” Griffin said. “Luckily the putters were getting warm and I made a lot of putts on the back nine. It was fun to feel the nerves in the tournament, trying to stop things from happening. It was nice to hit a few putts in the tournament.”

Griffin’s world ranking rose to a career-best ninth.

Sami Välimäki (64) and Chad Ramey (65) shared second place and earned valuable consolation. Vallimaki was ranked No. 103 in the FedExCup this week before moving up to No. 76, ensuring a full card berth next year. Remy moved up from No. 123 to No. 89 and will likely be able to keep his hand.

The top 100 FedExCup teams have two games left before they can remain intact through 2026.

“These last three games, the only goal is to retain the right to play next year, so I think they should agree on this one,” Valimaki said.

Griffin’s biggest challenges came from Garrick Shego and Carson Young, who entered the back nine tied for the lead in virtually no wind.

Shego’s tee shot on the 12th hole fell into the bushes, resulting in a no-play penalty and a double bogey. He shot a 68 and finished three shots behind.

Young made a 15-foot birdie putt on No. 12 and tied with Griffin at 27 under.

However, during his attack on the 13th, he walked left down the slope, crossed a carriage road, and entered Aboriginal territory. He bogeyed, hitting a walker on the par-5 14th that prevented him from getting a good look at birdie, then three-putted for bogey on the 15th. He shot 68 and tied for sixth.

Aside from a three-putt bogey on the fifth hole, Griffin didn’t have any such problems. He was rock solid from that point on, finishing at 29-under 259.

His year isn’t over yet. He will marry Dana Meyeroff next month.

“Crazy, three wins and getting married in the same year, it’s hard to beat,” Griffin said.

Shego moved up to No. 52 in the FedExCup rankings, which at least secures him a spot against Pebble Beach and Riviera early next season, both of which carry $20 million in prize money. During the FedExCup fall season, he finished no worse than a tie for seventh in four starts.

“A lot of good stuff,” Shego said. “I’ve been in contention the last four games, so I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing.”