In the high-stakes world of professional golf, where every swing counts and every decision could mean millions, a single text message can sometimes alter the trajectory of a player’s career. This is the story of Ryan Gerard, a 25-year-old PGA Tour rookie who turned a fleeting moment of indecision into a life-changing triumph, thanks to a blunt piece of advice from his friend and fellow golfer, Ben Griffin. The tale is one of camaraderie, instinct, and a $720,000 gamble that paid off in spectacular fashion at the Barracuda Championship.
Imagine standing at a crossroads, with one path leading to a prestigious major championship and the other to a lesser-known event. That was the dilemma facing Ryan Gerard just weeks ago. Fresh off a lackluster 74th-place finish at the Genesis Scottish Open, Gerard found himself listed as the second alternate for The Open Championship at Royal Portrush. The allure of playing in a major, where the world’s best golfers like Scottie Scheffler would compete, was undeniable. A last-minute withdrawal could secure him a spot, a chance to etch his name into golfing history. But there was another option: the Barracuda Championship in Reno, Nevada, an alternate event running parallel to The Open. It guaranteed a tee time, but lacked the glitz and glamour of a major.
Uncertain, Gerard turned to his longtime friend and former University of North Carolina teammate, Ben Griffin, for advice. In a text exchange that would later become the stuff of PGA Tour lore, Gerard asked, “Is it worth flying to Portrush from the US as a second alt, or first?” Griffin, a two-time PGA Tour winner enjoying a breakout 2025 season with over $8 million in earnings, didn’t hesitate. His response was short, direct, and prophetic: “Nah go win Tahoe.” Those four words would change everything.
Gerard took the advice to heart, opting to board a flight to California instead of chasing a long-shot chance in Northern Ireland. It was a decision that could have backfired spectacularly. Had a withdrawal opened a spot at The Open, Gerard would have been left kicking himself for not being there. But as fate would have it, no such withdrawal came, and Gerard’s choice to focus on the Barracuda Championship proved to be a masterstroke.
At Tahoe Mountain Club, Gerard didn’t just play—he dominated. Competing under the tournament’s unique Modified Stableford scoring system, which rewards aggressive play with points for birdies and eagles, Gerard racked up an impressive 47 points. He outpaced former champion Erik van Rooyen by three points, securing his first PGA Tour victory and a staggering $720,000 paycheck—the largest of his young career. As a bonus, he rode away on a sleek new electric bike, a quirky prize that only added to the moment’s charm.
The victory was a defining milestone for Gerard, who had spent the previous year grinding on the Korn Ferry Tour, finishing 12th on the money list to earn his PGA Tour card. His journey to this point was anything but easy. A standout at UNC, where he set a program record with a bogey-free 10-under 61 at the 2018 Fighting Irish Classic, Gerard had shown flashes of brilliance. Yet, breaking through on the PGA Tour, where every tournament is a battle against the game’s elite, required something extra. That something turned out to be a nudge from a friend who knew him better than most.
Griffin, who himself had claimed victories at the Charles Schwab Challenge and another event earlier in 2025, wasn’t just a bystander in this story. His advice stemmed from a deep understanding of Gerard’s game and the realities of professional golf. Speaking ahead of the Wyndham Championship, where the two friends would face off as competitors, Griffin downplayed his role with characteristic humility. “I think anyone would have responded the same way I did to Ryan,” he said. “It was Tuesday, the answer’s no. Go focus on trying to win that, don’t even look at the leaderboard, just focus on your tournament and what you’re trying to accomplish.”
But Griffin couldn’t resist a playful jab, revealing a lighter side to their friendship. With a grin, he quipped that he deserved “just 50% of his earnings” for steering Gerard toward the win. “I’ve been looking on Zelle and Wells Fargo and Merrill accounts, nothing’s hit yet,” he joked, adding, “I’ll take the credit, I guess.” The banter continued when Griffin crashed Gerard’s press conference at the Wyndham Championship, posing as a “PGA Tour Comms intern” to ask if there was anyone Gerard wanted to credit for his victory. Gerard, sweating under the media spotlight, played along, slyly refusing to name his benefactor but acknowledging the pivotal advice.
Their bond, forged over 15 years since meeting at a junior tournament at UNC’s Finley Golf Club, is a testament to the power of friendship in a sport often defined by individual pursuit. The duo, along with Griffin’s caddie Alex Ritthamel, even share a quirky tradition called “Steak Wednesday,” where they dine on red meat during tournament weeks, with the previous event’s top earner footing the bill. After Gerard’s Barracuda win, it’s safe to say he’ll be picking up the tab next time—and happily so.
Gerard’s triumph wasn’t just a personal victory; it was a moment of pride for Tar Heel golf. With Griffin’s two wins and rookie David Ford earning his PGA Tour card through the PGA Tour University rankings, 2025 has been a banner year for UNC alumni. Gerard’s performance at the Barracuda Championship also boosted his FedExCup standing, putting him in contention for the season-ending Playoffs and a shot at the $10 million prize at East Lake. For a player who started the year with limited starts, the arc of his season—from Korn Ferry Tour grad to PGA Tour winner—reads like a Hollywood script.
Yet, the story isn’t without its twists. Just weeks before, Griffin found himself at the center of a different kind of drama. During the Memorial Tournament, hosted by golf legend Jack Nicklaus, Griffin was interrupted mid-round by a Golf Channel reporter for a walk-and-talk interview. The exchange, which touched on his energy levels and his wife’s exhaustion, drew a sharp rebuke from Nicklaus, who called on-course interviews a distraction. “Here’s a guy who’s leading the golf tournament, he’s got a difficult shot, and you’re talking to him about stuff that takes his mind off what he was doing,” Nicklaus fumed. The incident sparked debate, but Griffin handled it with grace, a reminder of his ability to stay composed under pressure—much like the advice he gave Gerard.
As the PGA Tour season races toward its climax, the spotlight now turns to the Wyndham Championship, where Gerard and Griffin will compete head-to-head. Will their friendship fuel a fierce rivalry, or will they continue to lift each other up? One thing is certain: Gerard’s decision to heed Griffin’s advice has already rewritten his career. A single text, a gut call, and a leap of faith turned a moment of doubt into a $720,000 victory—and a story that will resonate with golf fans everywhere.
For those scrolling through their feeds, this tale of friendship and triumph is a reminder that sometimes, the smallest moments—like a four-word text—can lead to the biggest rewards. Share this story if you believe in the power of a well-timed nudge, and let’s see if Gerard sends that Zelle payment to Griffin before the next Steak Wednesday.
