Ben Griffin posted 11 under at Colonial and waited for history, but Russell Henley’s late birdie run ended his Charles Schwab repeat bid.
FORT WORTH — Ben Griffin gave himself a real chance to make Charles Schwab Challenge history Sunday at Colonial Country Club. Then he had to wait.
Griffin, the defending champion at Colonial, fired a final-round 5-under 65 to reach 11 under for the tournament.
READ MORE: Russell Henley Steals Colonial in Playoff
That put him in a position to possibly become the first player since Ben Hogan to win back-to-back titles at the Fort Worth PGA TOUR stop.
For a while, it looked possible.
Griffin finished before the leaders and watched the final stretch from inside Colonial’s Men’s 19th Hole with his wife, caddie and others nearby.
Eric Cole still had the lead. Russell Henley, Alex Smalley and Mac Meissner were still on the course.
Griffin’s number was posted, and at Colonial, that can be enough to make everyone sweat.
He nearly forced the issue himself.
Griffin birdied five holes on the front nine and added a clutch 25-foot birdie putt at No. 17.
At the 18th, he had a long birdie attempt that nearly dropped, but it stayed out and left him at 269.
That left the door open, and Henley kicked it in.
Henley birdied Nos. 16, 17 and 18 to get to 12 under, knocking Griffin out of playoff range and eventually forcing extra holes with Cole. Henley later won on the first playoff hole.
For Griffin, it was still another strong week in what has become a serious rise.
He entered the week ranked No. 17 in the world after a breakout stretch that included multiple PGA TOUR wins, a top-10 finish at the U.S. Open, a top-10 at the TOUR Championship and a Ryder Cup appearance.
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Griffin said winning has changed how he views himself under pressure. Sunday proved that confidence is real, even if the trophy stayed out of reach.
After Henley’s final birdie ended his wait, Griffin accepted the moment, shared congratulations and moved on.
Then he got that beer.
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