Matt Griffin: Learning The Ropes

BY Anthony Powter | 29 Jun 2009

Matthew Griffin takes a relatively simple approach towards the game. He knows nothing else and the transition from a top-flight world amateur to making a living from the game has not been that simple in recent times.

Professional golf for Griffin has been more about exploring the options than anything else and a fortnight ago he made the right choice.

Players like Griffin look for the breaks and jump starts early in their careers and his came when he decided not to tour China, but instead play the Fiji Open.

Griffin, who holds a tour card on the Asian tour, was simply dominant in winning the Fiji Open wire to wire. It was a comfortable eleven stroke victory on the wind swept coastal Natadola Bay layout and was his first major title as a professional.

“The invitation really came out from nowhere at the time and I thought it would be a great challenge,” said Griffin, who won close to A$8,000 for the victory in Fiji and secured an exemption to play the Panasonic Open in Japan come September.

“To get your first professional win under your belt, as well as a national open, is a real bonus. It was a grind for the four rounds and to just play well and to win was especially special.”

Griffin admits the since turning professional last October that he’s struggled a little with his game, not to mention trying to get use to life on tour. For his part the former world number three amateur has simply taken the last eight months in his stride.

The 25-year-old likes to focus on the bigger picture with the variances of professional golf in your rookie year, no more than temporary set backs. Professional golf is vastly different to the amateur ranks and Griffin is gradually making the right adjustments after his initial baptism into the pay to play ranks.

“I think the biggest thing that hits you is that the game is just so competitive,” says Griffin who has one cut from three starts on the Asian Tour this season.

“Instead of maybe five of seven players that are capable of winning like what you get in amateur golf, you’re facing off 156 others who can win and if you are not quite on your game, you’ll get the weekend off.”

To supplement his playing schedule during the last few months, Griffin competed in a few Pro-Ams in Western Australia before heading to Fiji. In May, he won at Hartfield in Perth and followed that with another win at the Pro-Am at Mandurah Country Club, the course where he won the Mandurah Easter Amateur, the first of his two National Trial event titles in 2008.

“I needed to fill in my schedule and the pro-am events are great events,” says Griffin.

“I enjoyed playing those tournaments and to get a win at Mandurah where I won there as an amateur was especially special. It gave me a lot of confidence heading over to Fiji.”

Matt Griffin is reflective of the quintessential amateur journeyman. The Melbournian quietly goes about his business combining a deathly precision as well as consistency with his game.

There’s purpose with every shot his takes and at times this has attracted the odd unfavourable comment regarding his pace of play, which has never worried Griffin. Make no mistake, Griffin, behind his gentlemanly like exterior, has that killer instinct. Now that he’s tasted victory, he’ll return to the tour refreshed and hungry for another victory.

In a few weeks Griffin heads back to the Asian Tour and will compete in the Indonesian Masters. His immediate goals are to collect a win in Asia and to gain playing privileges in Japan. That’s his current focus, to make a name for himself in Asia and Australia before even considering the US.

“I would like to stay in the region for the next couple of years,” says Griffin.

“Japan is a really good stepping stone and I want to establish myself here, then look one or maybe two years down the track to the US.”

Like any emerging professional, Griffin is aware the benefits the Australasian Tour can provide if you can finish high on the season ending money list. Not only does it open doors to second stage PGA Tour Q-school and the European Tour, it gives Australian players a home for their summer. It’s a type of insurance none take for granted.

“The Australian Tour provides some great opportunities if you can finish high on the money list,” says Griffin.

“If you can play well in those events it can set you up for American tour schools and the like. I’ll be aiming this summer to try an get as high as I can in those events. I’d like nothing better than to be playing with Tiger in the last group at the Masters in November.”

Before then Griffin wants to make his mark on the Asian Tour where he would dearly like to get another win early under his belt. Having experienced the thrill of victory, the desire is burning.

“I really enjoyed the last few holes in Fiji and the thrill of winning,” he says.

“I’ve just missed a number of cuts in Asia, but I’m starting to feel more confident and the results are improving.”

Griffin remains optimistic that with the transition into the professional ranks he will see the results follow, provided of course he continues to put in the hard work.

“I have a few options, but ultimately when you are a rookie you need to get as much experience as you can and play four rounds of tournament golf. I’m not saying that it will be easy but if you work hard, it should fall into place.”

With a solid work ethic coupled with considering all the options, this should see Griffin forge his way on the Australasian Tour. His nature is built on the strength of self belief. You don’t finish university degrees and compete at the highest level of professional sport unless you have some faith in what you can achieve.

In Matt Griffin’s case we will be hearing a lot more of him during the ensuring months and the Australian summer, possibly even adding another national title to his list of victories. Word has it that he has a liking the New South Wales layout at La Perouse.

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