Matt Griffin: Mr Consistency
BY Anthony Powter | 31 Mar 2008
Less than a week ago, Matthew Griffin withheld a determined Matt Jager to secure the Mandurah Easter Amateur Open. It was the 24-year-old’s first major amateur championship after a string of near misses and the win was symbolic in many ways for one of Australia’s most consistent amateurs.
“Mandurah was the first occasion that I’ve been in a situation of having the lead going into the final round and feeling what it’s like with the pressure of fighting to hold it,” said Griffin upon his return this week to the Victoria Golf Club in Melbourne.
Griffin’s world amateur ranking jumped eight slots to 16 after the Mandurah victory, placing him as Australia’s third ranked amateur. His aiming to be inside the world’s top-10 and knows solid performances in next month’s Australian Amateur, as well as international team events, will do no damage to his goal.
“My objective is to break into the World’s top-10 and the result last week was just the kick-start I needed.”
Griffin is considered a hard worker, both on and off the course. A late bloomer to the game, Griffin first completed Degrees in Commerce and Economics at Monash University, before realising his golfing talent.
“It was around late 2004, that my golf results started to improve and I made the field for the Australian Open through sectional qualifying. I was not even in the state squad at that stage and shortly after that I made the round of sixteen at the Australian Amateur. That opened my eyes and I felt that I could do it.”
During the last eighteen months Griffin has played into contention in numerous major amateur events around the world. His international results include two top-ten finishes in his maiden tour last year to America, at the Rice Planters, where he finished 3rd and Eastern Amateur, and a runners-up finish at the Jockey Club Rasario in Argentina.
Locally, Griffin has been one of the standout performers this season, with 4th at the Dunes Medal last November, another runners-up at the Lake Macquarie Amateur in January and T6 at the Riversdale Cup last month, as well as the recent win at Mandurah. This is also not including various Australian representative commitments, where Griffin played an integral part in team wins, since his making his debut in last year’s Four Nations tournament.
“The past month has been extremely busy and the next few months will be more of the same,” remarked Griffin.
“I will continue to work on some swing improvements, which are coming along nice and just keep trying to get better. Coming up, I have been selected for two Australian teams, being the Ashes against England and the Trans Tasman Cup against New Zealand. In between is the Australian Amateur, which will be a key event, so there’s plenty of work to be done.”
Matthew Griffin’s results and achievements are impressive, as is his consistency with four-round stroke tournaments. With the amateur focus this year upon Eisenhower selection, Griffin’s playing attributes of securing consistent finishes will certainly be attractive in selector’s minds for the three-man team.
“I’m one that likes to set my goals high and aim for that,” says Griffin.
“Even if you don’t quite meet them, it’s better than setting them low and achieving that. Making the Eisenhower team is one. Playing on the PGA Tour certainly is another goal and I’ll play anywhere to eventually work my way onto that tour. I know that it takes a few good years to get your game to compete at that level, but I willing to work for that.”
At present, Griffin is keeping his options open as to his professional pathway onto a main world tour. The transition in his mind is certain and it’s become more around a timing issue.
“I’ve scheduled to try and qualify for US Tour School towards the end of the year and play as an amateur and see how things go,” remarked Griffin.
“At this stage it’s about keeping your options open and playing in as many of the bigger events you can get into.”
It’s these challenges that Griffin feeds on. The win at Mandurah has added fuel to his tanks to retain his focus to achieve his goals, which certainly are set high. Griffin knows his game strong and that consistency is one of the main keys to success, both in the professional and amateur ranks.
“My game suits tight courses with fast greens, and I’m relatively straight off the tee and hit a lot of greens, remarks Griffin.
There are appropriate words and Griffin’s actions on the golf course underpin this concept of hitting fairways and greens, as he’s become one of Australia’s most consistent amateurs.
