Ben Griffin Opens Up on Managing the Madness of WM Phoenix Open’s Infamous 16th
HONOLULU, HI - JANUARY 16: Ben Griffin USA watches his tee shot on 2 during the second round of the Sony Open on January 16, 2026, at Waialae Country Club, Honolulu, Hawaii. Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire GOLF: JAN 16 PGA, Golf Herren Sony Open in Hawaii EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2601160512
HONOLULU, HI - JANUARY 16: Ben Griffin USA watches his tee shot on 2 during the second round of the Sony Open on January 16, 2026, at Waialae Country Club, Honolulu, Hawaii. Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire GOLF: JAN 16 PGA, Golf Herren Sony Open in Hawaii EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2601160512
The par-3 16th at the TPC Scottsdale has built a reputation as one of the loudest stops on the PGA Tour, with fans packing the stands and reacting to every single shot. After being away from golf for quite a long time, Ben Griffin was acutely aware of it.
Griffin opened up about feeling the pressure during the press conference on February 6. "I think there is a fine line. You can embrace it and get a lot of energy, but then you got to reset on 17, 18. I like to stay in my lane for the most part," Griffin said.
"There is a feeling of a little bit more pressure there. But really, the pressure is only what you kind of create," Ben Griffin told the media.
"I try to just pretend like it's another par-3 and another practice shot. I try not to get too caught up in the energy and everything like that. It's a very fun hole, and I wish the TOUR had more of them," he added.
January 16, 2026, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA: BEN GRIFFIN tees off from the 4th during Round 2 of the 2026 Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii on January 16, 2026. Honolulu USA - ZUMAm310 20260116_zsp_m310_079 Copyright: xElliotxMilesx
January 16, 2026, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA: BEN GRIFFIN tees off from the 4th during Round 2 of the 2026 Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii on January 16, 2026. Honolulu USA - ZUMAm310 20260116_zsp_m310_079 Copyright: xElliotxMilesx
During the tournament, Griffin scored a birdie at the 16th hole, which contributed to his 71 total and helped him make the cut.
Griffin has seldom stayed quiet about his struggle with burnout after losing his Korn Ferry Tour status in 2021. However, his return the next year went viral.
How Did Ben Griffin Manage to Bounce Back From Burnout?
“I had never had significant time away from the game like that,” the 29-year-old told the PGA Tour in 2022.
“Having that reset, it’s so valuable, way more valuable than I had ever imagined. Regardless of what you do in life, it’s important to step back and take a breath. People always say, ‘Get your mind off it. Breathe.’ Golf is what I needed to be playing all along.”
Thanks to the official time off from the course, he was able to return and make significant moves. In 2025, he won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the Charles Schwab Challenge, and the World Wide Technology Championship. Additionally, Griffin secured a T8 finish at the 2025 PGA Championship and a T10 finish at the U.S. Open last season.
He now looks to build on that momentum for the 2026 season. The 16th hole at the Phoenix Open was certainly a move forward.
You can read more at Club Golf!
Written by
Krushna Pattnaik
Edited by
Sagnik Bagchi