This incredibly prescient Ben Griffin text led to Ryan Gerard's first PGA Tour win
Al Chang/ISI Photos
Two of this year's breakout stars on the PGA Tour have been former UNC teammates Ben Griffin and Ryan Gerard. Turns out, their friendship helped directly lead to the latter's maiden victory on Sunday.
Griffin missed the cut at the British Open last week, but it's been an amazing 2025 campaign including his first two wins and first pair of major top-10 finishes. But as we know from a viral video he made a couple years back, the former mortgage loan officer might be even better at doling out financial advice than he is at playing golf. And this time, Gerard was the beneficiary.
You see, Gerard was in the field at the Barracuda Championship, but listed as the second alternate at the Open last Monday. That's when he texted his pal asking whether he should fly to Northern Ireland and roll the dice. Here was Griffin's expert—and prescient!—advice:
"Is it worth flying to Portush from US as second alt," Gerard asks. "Or only only first."
"Nah go win Tahoe," Griffin responded.
Talk about nailing it. Griffin did exactly that, producing a career-changing performance and taking home $720K and that electric bike (above). That's what friends are for, huh?
Griffin could probably have a great side hustle as a career coach. In the meantime, Gerard should probably offer him that bike at the very least.