Scottie Scheffler tips rookie for Ryder Cup breakthrough: "He always had the talent"

Four-time major champion Scottie Scheffler has predicted Ben Griffin will have an outstanding Ryder Cup and feature in many US teams for years to come.

Ben Smith

Updated: 16 Sep 2025

Scottie Scheffler has predicted Ben Griffin will have a stellar Ryder Cup and feature on many US teams in years to come.

Scheffler got the better of his former college foe at last week's Procore Championship on the PGA Tour.

The top-ranked Scheffler fired a closing 67 to finish one shot ahead of Griffin to capture his sixth title of the year and 19th overall.

Scheffler told reporters he will head to Bethpage Black and stand on the first tee knowing he did everything possible to right the wrongs of his 2023 trip to Italy.

He also believes Griffin, 29, will be a thorn in Europe's side when they lock horns with Luke Donald's dozen next week in New York.

"When you talk to Ben, he's a guy that has a lot of confidence," Scheffler said. "He's got a lot of self-belief.

"That's what we love about him being a part of our Ryder Cup team. Like you said, that's kind of a weird thing to think about.

"Like I said, I grew up with Ben. He always had the talent to make it out here.

"He's been a tremendous putter for his entire... as long as I've known him, and his ball-striking has really come around, and he's also picked up some speed.

"Ben's a guy that has always put in I think a ton of work and he's always looking to improve.

"He's never lacked confidence and he's going to be a great part of our Ryder Cup team this year, and I'm sure he'll be a part of many teams going forward as well."

Griffin's rise over the last 18 months has been remarkable to witness.

He took time out of the professional game and worked, briefly, as a mortgage loan officer before he was convinced by a wealthy businessman to give the game another crack.

Doug Siem of Lord Abbett told Griffin he would cover his expenses for two years.

Griffin won for the first time on the PGA Tour in May, teaming up with Andrew Novak to claim the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

He won for the first time as an individual at the Charles Schwab Challenge and pushed Scheffler all the way at the Memorial.

Griffin finished in the top-10 at the PGA Championship and US Open, but did not qualify for The Masters.