FORT WORTH, Texas – Ben Griffin may be on the verge of a groundbreaking season of the PGA Tour. It’s like a possible comeback for Ricky Fowler.
Griffin shot a 7-under 63 in the Charles Schwab Challenge at the Colonial on Friday, tied with Matty Schmidt, and his second two-stroke before second-round leader John Pack, and Fowler’s five.
The tour rookie pack, which opened at 63, was shot before Chris Gotterup, a one-time tour winner like Griffin, who birded par 4 18th place at 68. Gotterup was under 65 years old and under 8 years old. Ryo Hisatnun, 22 years old from Japan, suffered another stroke after aged 67, linked to Akshay Bhatia (66).
Scotty Scheffler, who won the PGA Championship last weekend, was 10 shots from the lead as he scored 71 and got three consecutive starts in 2017, trying to become his first player since Dustin Johnson.
Schaeffler’s run began with a runaway three weeks ago, winning an eight-shot victory at CJ Cup Byron Nelson north of Dallas, the first of his two hometown events.
It was close, but Schaeffler cut the shot with a spare shot.
Schaeffler’s playing partner missed the cut, including Davis Riley. The defending champion won 69 and one of the eight players in the field of the top 25, Daniel Berger made an 83-foot putt from the green for a birdie at the par-3 fort hall in the 70th round.
A month from his team with Andrew Novak won the Zurich Classic in New Orleans, Griffin made eight birdies (10 feet inside to seven) and saved pars with a 12 feet putt from the fringe after only bogeys.
The 29-year-old has already matched his career best, five top-10 finishes since last year, including his fifth tie in the PGA.
“I feel like I’ve made some good steps over the past few years, like a bit of a build-up to reach that first victory,” Griffin said. “Now I got that first victory, so I really feel like I’m trying to release me and feel more aggressive and try to win, although not necessarily more aggressive.
Fowler ranked 127th in the world after entering the top 25 in the first half of 2024. The six-time winner was solid two weeks ago with the $20 million signing truists championship, but missed a cut at the PGA.
The 36-year-old followed the opening 70 with six birdies before even finishing the final nine holes.
“It’s definitely coming,” Fowler said. “Last year is late and I know I’m starting a little late in the year. My body is starting to feel better. The game () is in a good place and not too far. A great line here.
Schmidt, a 27-year-old German seeking a first-tour victory in his 79th start, has been bogey-free with 10 birdies on 24 holes since a par-4 12th double bogey in the opening round.
Gotterup, who won the 2024 Myrtle Beach Classic and is in position to qualify for the $20 million signature event at next week’s memorial, has made a bogey-free round. He lives in Colonial driving distance, known as Hogan’s Alley after finishing his college career in Oklahoma.
Gotterup played for four consecutive weeks, finishing in the top 20 each time before taking a week off at home between PGAs.
“I want to play PGA, but I was in a house where I was hanging out at home watching sports on the couch,” said the 25-year-old. “So it was good to be home and I got out of the house this week, so it’s even better to have my own car and everything. I like that.”
After this week’s bogey in his first bogey on a par-4 seed, the pack went 10 under on birdies on three of the next four holes. Before the pack made 13 footers at 18, consecutive bogeys dropped him into a tie with Gottap.
Jordan Spieth, the headliner of Schaeffler’s fellow hometown and former Texas longhorn, birded on the 17th to cut even numbers. Two holes, three major winners jumped out of their hands to make the club feel disgusted with a short, right-hand approach shot before covering his face with his hands as the par putt went outside.