How does a golfer go from leaving the sport for a mortgage job to becoming a PGA TOUR winner? Ben Griffin’s story is one of the most unusual in modern professional golf. After stepping away from competitive golf in 2021, the Chapel Hill native returned, earned his PGA TOUR card, and recorded two major career milestones in 2025, including his first individual PGA TOUR victory at the Charles Schwab Challenge.
This Ben Griffin Biography covers his age, hometown, parents, education, wife, children, career journey, and notable PGA TOUR accomplishments as public information stands entering 2026.
Ben Griffin Biography: Quick Facts
| Full name | Benjamin Griffin |
| Date of birth | May 21, 1996 |
| Age in 2026 | 29 until May 20, 2026; 30 from May 21, 2026 |
| Hometown | Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States |
| College | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
| Parents | Michael “Mike” Griffin and Kim Griffin |
| Professional tours | PGA TOUR and Korn Ferry Tour |
| Notable 2025 wins | Zurich Classic of New Orleans; Charles Schwab Challenge |
Ben Griffin Age and Hometown
Ben Griffin was born on May 21, 1996, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The college town is best known as the home of the University of North Carolina, where Griffin later played collegiate golf for the Tar Heels.
In 2026, Griffin is 29 years old before his May 21 birthday and turns 30 on that date. His North Carolina roots are an important part of his golf identity, particularly because he developed as a junior player in the same state where he later represented UNC at the NCAA level.
Ben Griffin Parents and Family Background
Ben Griffin is the son of Michael “Mike” Griffin and Kim Griffin. His family supported his early development in golf, leading to a successful junior and amateur career in North Carolina. Public University of North Carolina biographical material also identifies Griffin as having a brother named Alex.
Although Griffin’s professional career has become increasingly public, he generally keeps many family matters away from tournament coverage and social-media headlines. That approach has helped maintain a clear separation between his PGA TOUR career and his private life.
Ben Griffin Wife and Children
Searches for “Ben Griffin wife” and “Ben Griffin children” have increased as his PGA TOUR profile has grown. However, Griffin has not consistently shared detailed, authoritative public information about a wife or children through his official PGA TOUR biography and major tournament coverage.
For accuracy, it is best not to repeat unverified social-media claims about his marital status or family. As of the publicly available information entering 2026, his parents, hometown, college background, and professional golf achievements are more firmly documented than details about a spouse or children.
College Golf Career at North Carolina
Griffin attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 2014 to 2018. He played for the Tar Heels and built the competitive foundation needed for professional golf. His time at UNC gave him experience against elite NCAA competition and prepared him for the demanding travel schedule of the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA TOUR.
After graduating, Griffin turned professional in 2018. Like many young golfers, he faced the difficult path of earning starts, managing expenses, and trying to secure status on developmental tours.
Ben Griffin’s Return to Professional Golf
The most compelling chapter in the Ben Griffin Biography is his temporary retirement from golf. In 2021, Griffin stepped away from tournament competition and worked as a mortgage loan officer. The break was brief but significant, as he returned to golf with renewed perspective and motivation.
His comeback accelerated in 2022, when strong Korn Ferry Tour results helped him earn PGA TOUR membership. Griffin quickly became known as a consistent ball-striker with the patience and resilience needed to contend on difficult tournament courses.
PGA TOUR Wins and Career Highlights
Griffin reached a new level in 2025. On April 27, 2025, he partnered with Andrew Novak to win the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana. The pair finished at 28-under par and secured the team title by one stroke.
Less than one month later, Griffin earned his first individual PGA TOUR title at the Charles Schwab Challenge on May 25, 2025. He posted a 12-under-par total of 268 at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, defeating Matti Schmid by one stroke.
The Colonial victory was especially important because it confirmed Griffin’s ability to win alone on one of the PGA TOUR’s most historic and demanding venues. Colonial’s narrow fairways, small greens, and strategic design reward precision, making the win a strong reflection of Griffin’s controlled all-around game.
Why Ben Griffin’s Story Stands Out
Ben Griffin is more than a rising American golfer. His journey includes college golf at UNC, a professional setback, a career outside the sport, a return through the Korn Ferry Tour, and PGA TOUR victories. That progression makes the Ben Griffin Biography particularly appealing to golf fans who value persistence as much as talent.
From Chapel Hill to Colonial Country Club, Griffin’s career proves that a nontraditional path can still lead to success at the highest level of professional golf.
