Ben Griffin’s opening round at the 2025 Rocket Mortgage Classic was more than just a strong performance — it was an example of sportsmanship, rule enforcement, and adaptability
His ability to shake off the bizarre bounce and refocus was admirable and may well set the tone for a successful week in Detroit.
As the tournament rolls on, Griffin’s name is one to watch — and so is that camera cart, which unintentionally became the most famous piece of equipment on the course.
If Day 1 is any indication, the Rocket Mortgage Classic promises drama, excitement, and perhaps more rulebook adventures to come.
Ben Griffin’s 66 in Round 1 of the Rocket Classic 2025 was the kind of performance that tournament contenders need early in the week.
It wasn’t the lowest round of the day, but it was smart, clean, and competitive. Most importantly, it was stress-free—something many players can’t say after Thursday.
With plenty of golf left to play, Griffin is poised to make a serious run. If he can carry forward his sharp ball-striking and continue putting well, don’t be surprised if his name climbs the leaderboard by the weekend.
The Rocket Classic is off to a thrilling start, and Ben Griffin is right in the thick of it.
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Ben Griffin’s Wild Break at Rocket Mortgage Classic 2025
A Smooth Start for Ben Griffin at Detroit Golf Club
The 2025 Rocket Mortgage Classic kicked off with sunshine, low scores, and a truly rare rules scenario involving PGA Tour professional Ben Griffin.1
On Thursday, June 26, at Detroit Golf Club, Griffin turned in one of the more polished performances of the day, carding a bogey-free 6-under 66.
But what made his round especially memorable wasn’t just the score — it was a strange but favorable ruling involving a camera utility cart on the par-5 14th hole.
Griffin’s scorecard featured four birdies and an eagle, a terrific start for the two-time PGA Tour champion, but it was the scene on the 14th that drew the biggest buzz online and on the broadcast.
A nice welcome to Detroit @RocketClassic https://t.co/8jpzeJPVx3
— Ben Griffin (@bengriffingolf) June 27, 2025
The Unusual Shot: When the Ball Meets Broadcast Equipment
It all happened on the 14th hole — a 531-yard par 5 that tempts aggressive play. After a booming 305-yard drive that found the right fairway, Griffin decided to go for the green in two.
He pulled out his fairway wood and sent the ball on a 258-yard journey, likely aiming to get it close or just around the putting surface.
Instead, the ball took a curious bounce off the right side of the rough and ended up inside an unexpected target — a camera utility cart, used by the television production crew.
The camera cart, stationed off to the side near the rough, wasn’t supposed to be part of the action. But golf, as always, has a way of creating odd situations — and this one led to a complex interpretation of the rules.
Ben Griffin: Rules Officials Called in for Rare Decision
Once it became clear the ball had come to rest in the cart, rules officials were called in along with the broadcast team. As fans watched and commentators speculated, the officials inspected the scene and began deliberating.2
What followed was a detailed discussion that took several minutes, all centered around one question: Is the camera utility cart considered a movable obstruction or a temporary immovable obstruction (TIO)?
This distinction would prove crucial. If it were deemed a TIO, Griffin might have needed to follow stricter guidelines or taken an awkward drop.
However, the officials ruled that the cart was a movable obstruction — meaning Griffin was entitled to relief without penalty.
The Ruling: A Free Drop at the Nearest Point of Relief
Because the cart was considered a movable obstruction, Griffin was granted free relief under Rule 15.2a(1) of the Rules of Golf.
The ball was retrieved from the cart and Griffin was allowed to drop it at the nearest point of complete relief, no closer to the hole.
It’s a rare scenario on Tour, but not unprecedented. Movable obstructions — which can include anything from TV cables to trash bins and, in this case, a camera cart — are not considered part of the course.
Players are typically given relief if the obstruction interferes with their stance, swing, or ball location.
Griffin’s drop gave him a clean lie, about 40 yards from the green.
Clutch Finish on the Hole: Par Saved in Style
After the drop, Griffin faced a delicate 40-yard pitch. While he couldn’t convert the hole into a birdie, he executed a controlled shot that left him in great position on the green.
Two putts later, he walked off with an impressive par — one that felt more like a small victory considering the chaos moments before.
Keeping composure after such an incident is no small feat. Griffin not only avoided a mistake on the scorecard but also showed impressive poise under pressure.
Social Media Reacts: “Only in Golf!”
As clips of the incident made their way online, fans on social media reacted with amusement and disbelief.
“Only in golf does your ball end up in a broadcast cart,” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter). Another added, “Shoutout to the camera guy — might have saved Griffin a bogey there.”
The incident quickly became one of the talking points of Day 1 at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. In a sport full of unpredictable bounces, this one stood out.
Ben Griffin’s Post-Round Reaction: A Smile and Gratitude
After his round, Ben Griffin spoke briefly with reporters about the strange moment on 14.3
“I’ve seen a lot in golf, but that was a first,” Griffin said with a grin. “When I walked up and saw my ball in the cart, I just had to laugh. Credit to the rules officials — they handled it the right way. I was glad to get a drop and save par.”
Griffin also noted that such rulings are part of the game, and that keeping a cool head can often make the difference between a good round and a great one.
A Strong Opening Round Boosts Griffin’s Hopes
The 6-under 66 placed Griffin near the top of the leaderboard at the end of Thursday’s play. His steady ball-striking and sharp putting impressed fans and analysts alike.
While his unusual encounter with the cart drew headlines, the rest of his round was textbook consistency.
The four birdies came on Holes 1, 6, 9, and 18, and the eagle came on the par-5 7th, where Griffin drained a 20-footer after reaching the green in two.
If he can maintain this form — and avoid further run-ins with broadcast vehicles — Griffin has a legitimate shot to contend for the title.
The Rules of Golf: Always Expect the Unexpected
This episode serves as a reminder that even at the highest level, golf can produce bizarre moments.
From animals interfering with shots to fans catching stray balls to equipment acting as unintentional hazards, professional golfers must always be prepared for anything.
Fortunately, the game’s rulebook is detailed enough to provide clarity in even the strangest of scenarios — and the officials at the Rocket Mortgage Classic deserve credit for managing the situation efficiently and fairly.
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Ben Griffin‘s Statement of Intent at Hole 1
Ben Griffin didn’t just step onto the tee box at Detroit Golf Club on Thursday—he stormed it.
The par-4 first hole became a launchpad for his Rocket Classic campaign as he drained a miraculous eagle to immediately jump to 2-under. This was no ordinary opener.
A hole-out eagle from distance set a thrilling tone, showcasing Griffin’s touch and confidence with his short game and approach shots.
The eagle immediately placed Griffin on leaderboards and sparked chatter among commentators and fans alike.
First-hole eagles in PGA Tour events are rare, and Griffin’s ability to convert under early pressure was a strong signal that he came to compete.
Capitalizing Early: Birdies Pile On in the Front Nine
Following his sensational eagle, Griffin maintained momentum across the front nine. He picked up birdies at the third, fifth, and seventh holes, with calm, clinical putting and precision from tee to green.
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Hole 3 (Par 4): Griffin nailed a smooth birdie with a wedge shot that landed softly within 10 feet, and he made no mistake on the putt.
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Hole 5 (Par 3): Despite its challenging pin placement, Griffin played a gutsy iron shot to within birdie range and converted again.
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Hole 7 (Par 5): With a reachable green in two, he set up another birdie, thanks to a confident second shot that avoided the trouble near the green complex.
By the time Griffin finished the front nine, he had signed for a blistering 31—five under par. His mix of power and finesse, paired with smart course management, made him one of the standout performers in the early groups.
How Ben Griffin Controlled the Middle Stretch?
While the front nine was electric, the back nine showcased a more measured, calculated approach from Griffin. Holes 10 through 13 were all pars—a sign of strategic golf rather than missed chances.
The Detroit Golf Club’s back nine is known for rewarding accuracy and patience, and Griffin chose to play to his strengths rather than overreach. He remained consistent off the tee and kept his iron game solid, opting not to take unnecessary risks.
This stretch also illustrated Griffin’s ability to stay mentally sharp. Even when birdie opportunities didn’t materialize, he didn’t let frustration seep into his game. His body language remained calm and composed, a trait that many elite players exhibit during tournaments.
The Breakthrough on Hole 16: Ending the Drought
After six straight pars to open the back nine, Griffin finally found another red number on the par-4 16th.
He struck a clean approach shot to within 8 feet and rolled in the putt for birdie, moving him to 6-under.
Though not flashy, this birdie was crucial. It halted a potential momentum stall and reminded the field—and himself—that he could still attack when the opportunity presented itself. In a round where others were making charges, this birdie helped Griffin remain within striking distance.
Griffin closed out Round 1 with pars on the par-5 17th and the par-4 18th. While the 17th is typically seen as a birdie hole, Griffin’s conservative play ensured he didn’t drop a shot. It was a sign that he was playing the long game—sometimes literally—and prioritizing consistency over heroics.
His final scorecard read 66, a clean, bogey-free round at 6-under par. It wasn’t the best score of the day, but it was a blemish-free performance that set a solid foundation for the rest of the tournament.
Ben Griffin: Paid Partnership
Ben Griffin tied up with Trugreen Lawn in a paid partnership and show how he keeps his front lawn golf course in quality.
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Leaderboard Snapshot: Four Shots Off the Pace
Despite Griffin’s impressive 66, he finds himself four shots behind early leaders Aldrich Potgieter and Kevin Roy, both of whom blistered the course with 62s (-10).
Min Woo Lee, Mark Hubbard, and Max Greyserman are also ahead at 63 (-9), placing Griffin in a crowded chasing pack.
However, the tournament is far from over. With three rounds to play and Griffin only four back, he’s well within contention. His clean card and solid play across all parts of the course mean he’s in an excellent position to build on his performance in Round 2.
Comparing to the Leaders: What Griffin Needs to Improve
When stacked against the day’s top scorers, one clear difference emerges: scoring on the back nine. While Potgieter and Roy went low in both halves, Griffin cooled off after his electric front nine.
To keep pace over the weekend, Griffin will need to find a way to pick up more strokes on the back nine. That means being a bit more aggressive on holes like the par-5 14th and 17th, which he parred in Round 1.
With soft greens and light wind conditions expected in Round 2, he could capitalize more by taking calculated risks.
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