ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia
Drummond Golf’s Matt Griffin Punches Ticket to The Open
Imagine earning your place in history by getting a start to tee it up in golf’s oldest major championship at the game’s most famous venue. Courtesy of his stunning third place finish at the Victorian Open on Sunday, Drummond Golf ambassador Matt Griffin received an invitation to compete in the 150th Open to be staged at St Andrews in July. Although he has competed at The Open once before, the 38-year-old understands the extra significance of making it to this year’s milestone event.
“I played Royal Birkdale (in 2017), missed the cut by two shots. I played all right. It was an amazing experience. I think that first Open you’re really just soaking it in. This one, I’ll soak it in but I’ll get there and really try to compete. St Andrews for the 150th, that’s going to be extra special.”
Sydney’s Dimi Papadatos and New Zealand’s Ben Campbell will join Griffin at The Open in July. The trio earned their start at St Andrews due to being the top three finishers at the Victorian Open played over the 13th Beach Golf Links on the Bellarine Peninsula. Papadatos won the event for the second time after his 6-under 66 on Sunday moved him to 21-under. Campbell finished one shot back after his bogey-free final round 6-under 66 got him to 20-under. Griffin took solo third place and the last ticket to The Open after he made a par at the final hole to finish at 16-under.
Griffin, a former Drummond Golf staff member at the Cheltenham store, enjoyed a distinguished amateur career that included representing Australia at the Eisenhower Trophy in 2008. The Melburnian turned professional that year and boasts seven professional victories worldwide. Griffin scored his maiden professional title at the 2009 Fiji Open and went on the win his first of three PGA Tour of Australasia titles at the South Pacific Open in 2011. In 2014, Griffin claimed his first victory on home soil at the Victorian Open. He also won the New Zealand Open in 2016. Griffin has pocketed three titles in Korea. Other achievements include being the Order of Merit winner of the OneAsia Tour in 2013 and the PGA Tour of Australasia in 2016. Although winless since 2016, Griffin continued to make his mark in golfing circles. He forged his way on to the coveted Japan Golf Tour with full membership status with the guarantee of a full schedule and lucrative prize purses.
Then came COVID-19!
On the golfing front, the past two seasons have been frustrating for Griffin. Border closures and quarantine regulations meant he was unable to compete in Japan during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Although his career temporarily stalled, Griffin remained upbeat through the experience. After all, being house bound in Melbourne for the last two years did have advantages for the proud family man. Along with his wife Liz, the couple has enjoyed quality time doting on their son Jack, who is now aged 2½.
Griffin will return to the golf course in 2022 with his latest achievement at 13th Beach on Sunday providing a marvelous kick-start to his this season. In March, he will resume playing on the Japan Golf Tour. In July, the Victoria Golf Club member heads to Scotland for The Open. Will he follow in the footsteps of fellow VGC club member Peter Thomson and hoist the Claret Jug on the 18th green at St Andrews? Time will tell! But, you can be sure of one thing—everyone at Drummond Golf is wishing him the very best.
And, if you’re wondering what Matt thinks about the opportunity. Check out his dial—the smile says it all!
Photo credit: Golf Australia
