|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The 19th edition of the World Wide Technology Championship concluded with a historic performance at El Cardonal at Diamante. Ben Griffin lifted the trophy after setting a new tournament record with a 259 total (−29), surpassing the previous 72-hole mark of −27 held by Erik van Rooyen since 2023. The 29-year-old from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, closed with a brilliant 63 to win by two strokes and collect US$1,080,000 in official prize money.
A Commanding Final Round
Griffin began Sunday’s round in third place, two shots behind the leaders, but quickly made his intentions clear. On the front nine, he carded five birdies and a single bogey, setting up a decisive stretch on the back. From the 8th through the 12th holes, he produced five birdies in a row, overtaking South Africa’s Garrick Higgo and fellow American Carson Young, both of whom had been sharing the lead earlier in the afternoon.
While Higgo stumbled with a double bogey—his only one of the weekend—Griffin stayed composed. Two more birdies on the 16th and 18th holes sealed his win and capped off a week that featured 30 birdies, one eagle, and just three bogeys. His 63 in the final round not only secured victory but also set a new scoring standard for the championship.
The win in Los Cabos crowns what has been the most successful year of Griffin’s career. Already a winner at the Charles Schwab Challenge and the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, he has also recorded top-10 finishes at both the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open. A member of this year’s U.S. Ryder Cup team, Griffin’s steady rise through the PGA TOUR ranks has been underscored by poise and precision, qualities that once again defined his performance at El Cardonal.
The Final Standings
Behind Griffin’s record-setting total, Sami Välimäki of Finland and Chad Ramey of the United States tied for second at 261 (−27), while Trevor Cone and Garrick Higgo finished at 262 (−26). The closing leaderboard reflected a weekend of competitive scoring and shifting leads, culminating in one of the most dynamic finishes the World Wide Technology Championship has seen in recent years.
Mexican Highlights and Local Presence
For Mexico, Alejandro Madariaga earned the distinction of Top Mexican Player, finishing tied for 46th at 274 (−14) in his PGA TOUR debut. His performance included an eagle, 19 birdies, five bogeys, and a double bogey—an impressive result after receiving a sponsor exemption for winning the Mexico Match Play held at El Cardonal in early October. Fellow Mexican Emilio González, who has already secured full PGA TOUR status for next season, finished 72nd at 282 (−6).
The event reaffirmed Los Cabos’s growing reputation as a host for elite golf, combining top-tier competition with regional enthusiasm and international visibility.
A Milestone for Golf in Mexico
As the longest-running PGA TOUR event in Mexico, the World Wide Technology Championship continues to embody the evolution of professional golf in the country. Hosted at El Cardonal at Diamante Los Cabos, the first course designed by Tiger Woods, and supported by World Wide Technology and Diamante Los Cabos, the tournament represents both a showcase of world-class performance and a reflection of Mexico’s commitment to the sport’s future.
Griffin’s record-breaking triumph now becomes part of that history, a benchmark achievement that reinforces Los Cabos’s place on the global golf calendar.