Golf
Ben Griffin Eyes Ryder Cup Debut Following Breakthrough Season
Among the four rookies on Keegan Bradley’s U.S. Ryder Cup squad, Ben Griffin stands out—not just for his game but for a nickname that’s quickly catching on at Bethpage Black.
Just months ago, Griffin seemed a longshot to make the team. Starting the year ranked No. 65 worldwide with no PGA TOUR wins, he now finds himself among the 12 Americans charged with reclaiming the Ryder Cup from Team Europe.
At Bethpage, fans and commentators have taken to calling him “Benny Booms,” a moniker first coined by content creator Erick Lottary during the FedEx St. Jude Championship last month. Griffin explained the nickname’s origin in a recent interview on the eve of the opening matches.
“People needed a nickname for me since I’m a new face, and I guess that one stuck,” he said. “I’ve also heard a lot of ‘Bethpage Bennies’ over the last few months — I might even like that one better. But hey, people can say what they want.”
Griffin’s 2025 season has been a whirlwind. He played 13 consecutive weeks at the start of the year, aiming to crack the world’s top 50 and earn a Masters invitation. Though he narrowly missed, he rebounded with two big wins: the Zurich Classic of New Orleans (partnered with Andrew Novak) and the Charles Schwab Challenge, the latter securing his first trip to Augusta next spring. Now ranked No. 11, Griffin admits he’s still adjusting to the rapid rise after years of grinding to earn his place—and even a brief hiatus from the game.
As he prepares for his Ryder Cup debut on Friday, Griffin is brimming with excitement about stepping onto the first tee amid the roaring crowd, expecting plenty of chants of “Benny Booms” to fuel his fire.
“It’s going to be insane,” he said. “I’m really excited to go through that tunnel, hear the crowd, and hopefully fire off a good one.”
You must be logged in to post a comment Login