Ben Griffin says PGA Tour rule change would have altered his path to the top

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Ben Griffin’s path from the Korn Ferry Tour to the PGA Tour is a testament to how valuable that developmental circuit has been.

After taking a break from professional golf in 2021, Griffin returned via the Korn Ferry Tour in 2022. Just three years later, he found himself paired with Bryson DeChambeau at the Ryder Cup.

Like Scottie Scheffler and Zach Johnson before him, Griffin used the Korn Ferry route as their gateway to top-level success. But a recent change on the PGA Tour could make it harder for others to follow that same path.

The number of PGA Tour cards handed out through season-long standings has been cut from 30 down to 20 players.

The move has stirred debate about whether enough players are being given chances to break through. As someone who finished eighth in those standings back in 2022, Griffin offered his perspective on whether more spots should be available.

Ben Griffin speaks out on changes to Korn Ferry Tour card allocations

The PGA Tour has had a significant problem with their Korn Ferry Tour graduates in recent seasons. Around 20% of players who earned tour cards on the Korn Ferry Tour have retained them in the past few years.

Rookies start the season with low priority in tournament fields, making it hard to get enough starts to earn points. And changes to the season structure also give new players fewer starts before the re-rank.

The hope is that by reducing that number, those who do make it will have a better shot at playing in bigger events and, ultimately, holding onto their status.

Griffin shared his thoughts on the changes: “It’s interesting the policy changes that happened. What we’ll see is better access from those 20 players on the Korn Ferry Tour and on the PGA Tour on next year’s season.

“They will have more playing opportunities, especially early in the season, because the guys that finished 101 to 125 are now going to be behind them on the commitment sheet.”

“The Korn Ferry players that are in the top 20 are going to have a much better opportunity than maybe the past few seasons to play well and keep their PGA Tour cards. Now, as for going from 30 to 20, that’s 10 less guys that would have had a chance to play in a PGA Tour event.”

“So in a way you’re limiting the amount of players that are now going to be on the PGA Tour, and up-and-coming players maybe.”

Ben Griffin shares his advice for golfers considering stepping away

Griffin’s path to the top of the golfing world is a remarkable one. His break from the sport in 2021 wasn’t planned and he didn’t see himself returning. But just a few years later, Keegan Bradley picked him as one of America’s 12 Ryder Cup players.

Now a two-time PGA Tour winner with two top-10 finishes in major championships in 2025, Griffin shared some advice for players who are close to giving up on their professional dream.

“It’s important to always chase your dreams but it’s also really healthy to take a break sometimes during those dreams and just take a step back and look at it holistically in a way and be able to learn from what your journey has been,” he said.

“For me, I did quit the game fully. I was working a job for a few months there and it was a great time for me to honestly get my mind completely off of golf. I had no intentions of coming back to golf.

“And it’s crazy that it’s worked out the way it has. It’s been quite the journey, and you know, I’m just trying to soak it all in and also at the same time just continue to work hard and let things happen as they come.

“It’s a very difficult challenge making it to the top in this sport. There are many different pathways, playing tournaments all over the world early on without earning much money, and then trusting that process will pay off.”

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“I’m lucky that I had so much support from not only my family and friends but sponsors too give back into golf, and it gave me an opportunity play not only myself but felt like needed play them work hard make sure doing right things off course.”

“It was lot sacrifices change lifestyle but ultimately definitely paid off it’s been quite journey.”