Charles Schwab Challenge Final Round Recap: Griffin Holds On
The Charles Schwab Challenge final round lived up to expectations, delivering suspense and pressure as Colonial Country Club turned up the difficulty on Sunday. Due to firm greens and swirling winds, scoring became a real challenge. As a result, several contenders faded while only a few held their ground.
Windy Colonial Slows the Field
Tommy Fleetwood opened the day strong with four birdies on the front nine, briefly climbing to 10-under. However, his back nine told a different story. With three bogeys and just one more birdie, he signed for a 2-under 68. In the end, he finished T4 at 8-under-par.
Scottie Scheffler, coming off a Saturday surge, played a steady but quiet final round. He made two birdies and one bogey, ultimately carding a 1-under 69. Like Fleetwood, he also ended at 8-under and tied for fourth. Although he didn’t make a big move, his consistency kept him in the top five.
Robert MacIntyre struggled to generate momentum. Despite three birdies, four bogeys held him back, and he posted a 1-over 71. Consequently, he dropped to T6 at 6-under-par. Even so, it was a strong overall showing for the Scot.
🏆 Griffin vs. Schmid: The Sunday Duel
Meanwhile, all eyes were on Ben Griffin and Matti Schmid. Griffin exploded out of the gates with an eagle on the 1st and a birdie on the 2nd, immediately grabbing a three-shot lead. Schmid tried to respond with a birdie at the 1st but followed it with a bogey, falling behind early.
As the round progressed, both players experienced ups and downs. Griffin made four bogeys over the next stretch, allowing Schmid to inch closer. Importantly, the momentum swung on the 16th hole. There, Schmid made birdie while Griffin bogeyed, cutting the lead to just one shot.
On the 17th, Schmid took a bold approach, going directly at the flag. Unfortunately, his shot found a buried lie in the greenside bunker. He scrambled to make bogey, while Griffin secured a routine par. The lead extended to two with only one hole to play.
Then came the drama on the 18th. Schmid chipped in from 28 feet for a surprising birdie. That left Griffin with a pressure-filled 3-foot-11-inch putt to win the tournament outright. Thankfully, he composed himself and sank the putt, sealing a one-shot victory at 9-under-par.
💰 Charles Schwab Challenge Payouts
The total purse for this year’s event stood at $9.5 million. The top of the leaderboard featured exciting performances, and the Charles Schwab Challenge payouts reflected that. Here’s a breakdown of the top earners:
- 1. Ben Griffin – $1,710,000
- 2. Matti Schmid – $1,035,300
- 3. Bud Cauley – $655,000
- T4. Tommy Fleetwood – $427,500
- T4. Scottie Scheffler – $427,500
- T6. Robert MacIntyre – $299,725
- T6. Ryo Hisatsune – $299,725
- T6. J.J. Spaun – $299,725
- T6. Aldrich Potgieter – $299,725
- T6. Harry Hall – $299,725
Other notables: Emiliano Grillo, Rickie Fowler, Michael Kim, and others earned between $140,125 and $18,050 depending on final standing. For the full breakdown, visit the PGA Tour’s official payout list.
⛳ Final Thoughts
The Charles Schwab Challenge final round was a reminder of how pressure can elevate — or unravel — a player. Despite back-nine bogeys, Ben Griffin maintained composure when it mattered most. With this breakthrough win, he not only captured a career-defining title, but also outlasted some of the Tour’s toughest competitors. And with Scottie Scheffler in the mix, the stage is now set for an exciting summer swing on the PGA Tour.
